Woman charged with reckless homicide for Avalon Park hit-and-run crash that killed James Harris over holiday weekend

Jeff Mayes — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 11:03:10 -0500

By ASHLEE REZIN
Chicago Sun-Times Wire

Alicia Johnson | Chicago Police

The victim in a hit-and-run crash over Memorial Day weekend in the Avalon Park neighborhood has been identified as James A. Harris, and the driver who struck him faces reckless homicide charges..

Harris, 51, was walking in a crosswalk about 11:15 p.m. May 28 in the 7900 block of South Stony Island Avenue when he was struck by a southbound red Chevrolet Impala, according to Chicago Police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

The car sped away after the crash, police said.

Harris, of the 7900 block of South Essex, was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he died at 2:34 a.m. May 29, according to the medical examiner’s office. An autopsy found he died of multiple injuries due to the crash, and his death was ruled an accident.

The driver of the Impala was later identified as 22-year-old Alicia Johnson, according to police. She was arrested May 30 and charged with reckless homicide and leaving the scene of a crash involving injury or death, both felonies, according to police. She also faces a misdemeanor count of failing to exercise due care with a pedestrian in the roadway.

Johnson, of the 9700 block of South Avalon, was released on bond and is next scheduled to appear in court June 17.

Alicia Johnson | Homicide Watch Chicago

Woman charged with reckless homicide for Avalon Park hit-and-run crash that killed James Harris over holiday weekend