Visually impaired man dead after hit by PACE bus

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Updated: February 2, 2012 4:10PM

A visually impaired man was killed after being run over by a Pace bus in Oak Park Thursday afternoon.

It happened about 12:15 p.m. near Madison Street and Harlem Avenue in Oak Park, according to Oak Park Fire Dept. Battalion Chief Mark Wilson.

Witnesses said the bus was traveling east on Madison Street at a low rate of speed and turning north onto Harlem Avenue, according to an Oak Park press release. The pedestrian was crossing Harlem, walking west on the north side of Madison Street.

Emergency services personnel found the victim, a male in his mid-50s, about eight feet north of the crosswalk with apparent severe leg trauma and significant loss of blood. He was transported to Loyola Hospital in Maywood where he was pronounced dead shortly before 1 p.m., according to the village.

The identity of the pedestrian is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Pace spokesman Patrick Wilmot said the accident involved a westbound No. 318/North Avenue bus.

The man was hit by the rear of the bus, Wilmot said.

The bus driver was also taken to an area hospital for a medical evaluation after suffering anxiety, Wilson said.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office confirmed the fatality but could not provide further details Thursday afternoon.

Oak Park police are investigating.

—STM