CPS teacher killed in hit-and-run crash on Chicago's Southwest Side
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A man killed in a hit-and-run crash in the West Lawn neighborhood late Sunday night has been identified as a Chicago Public Schools teacher.
Charlie Mills, 56, touched countless lives in the classroom and in the theatre program at William Jones College Prep in the Printer's Row area of the South Loop. Current and former students at the high school said Mills was a big part of the school community – from helping students with disabilities to building sets for school plays.
That heartbroken community is now focused on justice.
Surveillance video shows Mills crossing Pulaski Road near 64th Street just before midnight, when he is struck and killed by the driver behind the wheel of what is believed to be a red sedan. Police reported the driver was possibly in a 2012 Chevrolet with Illinois registration number V455842.
Police said the driver never stopped.
"Charlie didn't deserve this," said Jones College Prep graduate Astarte Howell. "He didn't deserve to die alone."
Mills worked as a special education classroom assistant at Jones, 700 S. State St.
"Charlie built a community," Howell said. "He was a pivotal part of Jones College Prep."
Howell, a 2008 graduate, said Mills also made school plays come to life.
"He would build these grand, beautiful sets," Howell said.
Mills had a hand in everything from lighting and audio to building sets.
"He was 100% just a good person," said Howell. "Everybody at Jones knows Charlie."
Mills was hit less than a mile from his home on Keeler Avenue.
"I just saw him a couple days ago, and now he's gone," said longtime neighbor and friend Christopher Guerra. "I really hope they catch who did this, because, you know, Charles definitely doesn't deserve this."
Asked what she would say to the driver who struck and killed Mills, Howell said: "They should think about who they did it to, because Charlie wouldn't do that to anybody. They also robbed a lot of students of a great experience."
A CPS spokesperson said a team of clinicians and a district crisis team will be at the school on Thursday to provide support to students and staff.
"Charlie was a beloved member of our Diverse Learner team who also offered his expertise to our many performing arts productions. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time," Principal Kerry Dolan said in a letter to students. "This loss is sure to raise many emotions, concerns, and questions for the entire school, especially our students. Our own counselors, social workers, and psychologists are available, if support is needed. Please reach out for students who need ongoing services."
Dolan said Mills had been working at Jones for 23 years, and helped run plays, choir performances, band concerts, orchestra performances, student showcases, and more.
"He was always smiling and quick to forgive, and so humble. He did anything and everything with a smile, and spent more hours at Jones than almost anybody else," Dolan said. "He was kind beyond words and a `servant leader' in every sense of the phrase. The world is a little better for having had Charlie in it."
