Saul Hernandez dies in fatal Route 53 pedestrian crash
Fatal Route 53 crash death of Saul Hernandez – Obituary
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified 37-year-old Saul Hernandez, of Wheeling, Illinois, as the victim of a fatal pedestrian accident that occurred Sunday afternoon on Route 53 near Long Grove and Palatine.
Around 4:56 p.m., Illinois State Police and local fire departments responded to a report of a pedestrian struck near Lake Cook Road in the northbound lanes of Route 53. Preliminary investigations revealed that Hernandez was walking across active traffic lanes when he was hit by a gray Tesla Model Y SUV.
Emergency responders found Hernandez unresponsive and not breathing. Paramedics administered CPR and other lifesaving efforts before transporting him to Endeavor Health Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights. Despite their efforts, Hernandez was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.
Authorities temporarily closed the northbound lanes of Route 53 to investigate, reopening them by 8:15 p.m. It remains unclear if the Tesla’s occupants sustained any injuries or if the driver remained at the scene.
The Cook County Medical Examiner has not yet determined an official cause of death, and the Illinois State Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.