Personal Injury Law Blog
Popular Chicago Skateboarder Succumbs to Injuries in Hit-and-Run Accident
An icon in the Chicago skateboarding community died a week after being critically injured in a hit-and-run accident while skating in Bucktown.
Reginald Destin, 42, was with friends at the time of the accident on an early Friday morning in October. He was skateboarding in a bicycle lane on North Milwaukee Avenue with his friend Christopher Pitzen. From across the street, Pitzen saw a vehicle accelerating toward Destin and heard the impact that sent Destin cartwheeling into the air.
Police say the driver, Luis P. Pena, 30, fled the scene, but was apprehended shortly thereafter at North and Oakley Avenues. His blood alcohol level was measured at 0.18 percent, more than twice the legal limit.
Destin was rushed to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital where doctors placed him in a medically induced coma. One week later, he was dead.
Pitzen organized an online effort to raise funds for Destin’s family to help with medical and funeral expenses. So far, supporters have contributed over $35,000.
Destin’s influence in the Chicago skating community is illustrated by the fact that skateboarding celebrity Tony Hawk posted to his Twitter account a link to the fundraising webpage along with a plea for donations.
Pena has been charged with aggravated DUI and leaving the scene of an accident involving an injury. He is being held without bail. A spokeswoman at the State Attorney’s office in Cook County said that the charges might be upgraded as a result of Destin’s death.
Robert Briskman is a Chicago personal injury lawyer and Chicago personal injury attorney with Briskman Briskman & Greenberg. To learn more call 1.877.595.4878 or visit https://www.briskmanandbriskman.com/.
