Bicyclist killed in hit-and-run in Highland Park was school board member
HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. (CBS) -- Police in Highland Park were searching Friday evening for the driver who hit a bicyclist and then took off – leaving the victim to die.
Highland Park police and fire crews were called at 12:37 p.m. to Deerfield and Piccadilly roads, where they found the bicyclist severely injured. The driver was already gone.
We're told good Samaritans stopped to help.
The bicyclist, identified as 49-year-old Maureen Wener by the Lake County Coroner's Office, was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, where she died shortly after arriving.
An autopsy revealed she died from blunt force injuries.
Wener was a school board member in Deerfield and a mother to a teenage boy.
Wener was remembered as a true public servant who served on several local boards including the Deerfield Public Library and Deerfield School District 109 where she met Sari Montgomery.
"We were talking last week about how she loved to ride her bike and she rode it everywhere," said District 109 Board President Sari Montgomery, adding Wener was "dedicated to this community. It sounds idealistic but she really wanted to make the world a better place."
CBS 2 spoke with Wener's husband Paul by phone. He shared a photo of his wife and their son, Keegan, 13, on a recent trip. It would be their last vacation together. The lovers of travel was about to celebrate 20 years together.
On the day before she was killed, Wener was handing out diplomas alongside District 109 Supt. Michael Simeck.
"She gave diplomas to half of the graduates at one of our middle schools and then a day later, you're writing to the community about tragic loss," he said.
Simeck called his colleague small but mighty, and someone who loved giving back.
Simeck issued a statement on Wener's passing:
"I write today with the horrific news that Mrs. Maureen Wener, a member of our Board of Education, was killed in a biking accident on Friday. The Highland Park Police Department is handling the investigation.
Needless to say, this is a devastating loss for our community. My thoughts are immediately with her son and husband, and to the many staff who worked so diligently with their son. Maureen cared deeply about our schools and the students we serve. Earlier this week, she took part in 8th grade promotion exercises, handing Caruso students their diplomas. Maureen's ready wit, optimism, and affection for our staff punctuated all of her conversations. We have lost a passionate advocate for our schools, a beloved mother and partner of many of our staff, and a giving community member."
The district will offer counseling services for students and staff.
Wener's funeral is scheduled for Tuesday and family said there could be as many as 500 people who show up to support.
Police haven't provided a description of the car that hit Wener. so far, no one has been arrested.
The Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team and Highland Park police are investigating. Anyone with information should contact Highland Park police at (847) 432-7730, or police@cityhpil.com.
