Zion suspect sought in fatal hit-run
By Frank Abderholden fabderholden@stmedianetwork.com October 15, 2012 6:36PM
Alberto Mejia
Updated: November 17, 2012 6:17AM
ZION — Police announced the identity of the man they are looking for in the hit-and-run fatal that occurred last week, while the fugitive’s girlfriend could be charged with obstruction.
Alberto Mejia, 30, of Zion is being sought in connection with the hit-and-run accident that happened at 5:20 a.m., Oct. 10, near the intersection of 33rd Street and North Geneva Lane. Killed was Waukegan resident Francisco Avila-Castro, 20, of the 1200 block of Fulton Street.
Police released a picture of Mejia on Monday and said his girlfriend obstructed police in their investigation, but she did make statements that she was aware Mejia “hit something.” Police said Monday that charges against her are being reviewed.
Police also said that Mejia is believed to be in the Waukegan/North Chicago area and they believe he is trying to flee the country. They said text messages from the girlfriend led them to believe they are trying to get the vehicle repaired.
The vehicle has been described as a burnt orange 2004 Scion with a license plate number of P589818 and a vehicle number of JTLKT334540161941. The vehicle has severe front end damage to the driver’s side corner of the bumper area. The headlight is broken and body pieces fractured after the crash. Those pieces were recovered by police after the accident
The Lake County Coroner’s Office said Avila-Castro died of multiple traumatic injuries.
Police received a call of a person lying in the roadway in the 2400 block of 33rd Street the morning of the accident and the responding officers found the man in the street.
Anyone with information on the accident, vehicle or suspect should call Zion police at (847) 746-4106.
