Belmont and Pulaski Crosswalk Crash: Driver Cited After 67-Year-Old Woman Struck in Belmont Cragin

• What happened at Belmont and Pulaski in Belmont Cragin
• Time, place, and early official information
• Illinois laws that matter in this collision
• Civil liability considerations in a crosswalk crash
• Evidence to preserve and why it matters
• Where families can request official records and documents
• Insurance and claims considerations after a pedestrian crash
• Belmont Cragin community context and safety at busy intersections
• Winter driving duty of care and visibility responsibilities
• Practical steps to take after a crosswalk collision
• Timelines and limitation periods in Illinois
• Commentary from Gosuits Chicago, Illinois Personal Injury Attorney
• Why acting promptly matters and what to do next

What happened at Belmont and Pulaski in Belmont Cragin

On a winter morning in Belmont Cragin, a 67-year-old woman crossing the intersection at Belmont Avenue and North Pulaski Road was struck and run over by a Ford pickup truck. Surveillance video described in media coverage indicates the truck’s windshield was partially covered with snow at the time. The woman reportedly entered the crosswalk with the walk signal. The driver, a 39-year-old man traveling westbound on Belmont, began a turning maneuver into the intersection and ran over the pedestrian. The video timeline suggests both the pedestrian and the truck had been stopped at the intersection for roughly half a minute before the traffic signal changed, and the pedestrian began walking.

Witnesses ran toward the vehicle, and a Chicago Fire Department unit in the vicinity arrived within about a minute to render aid. The injured woman was transported to a local hospital. Chicago police issued the driver a citation for failure to yield to a pedestrian. While no citation was reported for the snow on the windshield, Illinois law prohibits operating a vehicle when snow, ice, or other material obstructs the driver’s clear view. The precise direction of the driver’s turn is less important than the underlying facts: a turning vehicle entered an occupied crosswalk and struck a person who had the pedestrian signal.

Time, place, and early official information

The collision occurred around 9:30 a.m. on Friday, December 5, near the 3200 block of North Pulaski Avenue, at the intersection with Belmont Avenue on Chicago’s Northwest Side. This is a highly trafficked junction where neighborhood trips mix with commercial traffic. For residents, it is a familiar crossing that serves nearby destinations like Kelvyn Park to the west, the small businesses that line Belmont, and connections to CTA bus routes that run along both Belmont and Pulaski.

Initial official details shared publicly included the pedestrian’s age, the driver’s age, the location, and issuance of a failure-to-yield citation. As is common in ongoing investigations, final determinations about contributing factors can take time while agencies review video, witness statements, and vehicle condition.

Illinois laws that matter in this collision

Obstructed windshields and windows

Illinois law makes it unlawful to drive with snow, ice, moisture, or any material on windows or mirrors that materially obstructs the driver’s clear view. The statute states drivers cannot “drive a motor vehicle with snow, ice, moisture, or other material on any of the windows or mirrors, which materially obstructs the driver’s clear view.” See 625 ILCS 5/12-503.

Pedestrian right-of-way in crosswalks

When traffic control signals are not in place or not operating, drivers must stop and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks under 625 ILCS 5/11-1002. In signalized intersections, drivers turning with a green or arrow signal must still yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk, under 625 ILCS 5/11-306. In plain terms, a green light for a driver isn’t a free pass to move through pedestrians who have a walk signal.

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Failure to yield to a pedestrian

Chicago police reported a citation to the driver for failure to yield to a pedestrian. While citations are part of the record, civil claims are governed by negligence principles and the traffic code can serve as evidence of a breach of duty. Whether the windshield obstruction contributed is a factual question, but Illinois’ visibility rule and pedestrian right-of-way rules create clear duties for drivers to see and yield.

Winter driving and visibility

Federal safety guidance underscores that reduced visibility and slick conditions increase crash risk. Clearing snow and ice thoroughly, slowing down, and taking extra care near crosswalks are emphasized in winter safety advisories from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. See NHTSA’s overview at nhtsa.gov/winter-driving-tips.

Civil liability considerations in a crosswalk crash

From a personal injury perspective, this kind of crash raises several negligence questions. A driver owes a duty of reasonable care to people using the roadway, including pedestrians. Turning vehicles must yield to pedestrians with the walk signal, and every driver has a continuing duty to keep a proper lookout. If a windshield was covered in snow to the point it obstructed vision, that can be powerful evidence of a breach of duty when a driver fails to see a person in a crosswalk.

Two issues often come up in crosswalk cases in Chicago:

• Right-of-way at a signalized intersection. Even when a driver has a green or arrow, the driver must yield to pedestrians who are lawfully in the crosswalk. This applies to both right and left turns. See 625 ILCS 5/11-306.
• Obstructed view and visibility choices. Choosing to drive with a partially obscured windshield can violate 625 ILCS 5/12-503 if it materially obstructs view. A jury can consider that choice when assessing whether reasonable care was used.

It’s also common for drivers’ insurance carriers to argue comparative fault against pedestrians. In Illinois, fault can be apportioned; if a pedestrian is found more than 50 percent at fault, recovery can be barred. In a situation where a person is in the crosswalk with the walk signal, that comparative fault argument is typically weaker, but insurers may still raise it to reduce payouts. That’s one reason gathering strong evidence early can be critical.

Evidence to preserve and why it matters

Belmont and Pulaski is a mixed commercial-residential intersection with frequent foot traffic and nearby storefronts. Crashes there often generate multiple potential evidence sources:

• Intersection and storefront video. Many buildings and businesses at or near the corners have cameras. Some loop over every few days. Promptly requesting copies can prevent a critical loss of footage.
• Transit or city cameras. CTA buses on Belmont (Route 77) and Pulaski (Route 53) sometimes capture collisions incidentally. Relevant public agencies may hold traffic cameras or other video. Requests often must be made quickly.
• Vehicle condition. Photos or documentation of the truck’s windshield and windows at the time of the crash can be pivotal to show snow or ice coverage and the driver’s potential field of view.
• Scene measurements. Skid marks, debris fields, and snow/ice accumulation patterns can help reconstruct turning paths and speed.
• Eyewitness statements. Several people reportedly rushed to help. Obtaining their statements while memories are fresh can clarify the pedestrian signal phase, the driver’s speed, and timing of the turn.
• EMS and hospital records. Injuries, initial complaints of pain, and the mechanism of injury documented by first responders and hospitals can connect the collision to diagnosed conditions.

Because video and snow conditions change hour by hour, time is of the essence. Even a day or two can make the difference between robust evidence and speculation.

Where families can request official records and documents

Police crash reports and 911 records

In Chicago, copies of police records can generally be requested through the City of Chicago’s Freedom of Information portal. FOIA requests are routed to the appropriate department, including police. Instructions are provided at the City’s FOIA resource page: chicago.gov/city/en/progs/foia.html. When requesting, include the RD number if known, the date, time, and location (Belmont Avenue and North Pulaski Road; around 9:30 a.m. on December 5), and specify that you are seeking the traffic crash report and any available supplemental narratives or diagrams. For 911 audio or dispatch logs from the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, FOIA requests can also be submitted through the city portal.

State crash data and safety context

For broader statistics and roadway safety context, the Illinois Department of Transportation publishes statewide crash data and summaries. See IDOT’s crash data resources at idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/safety/roadway/crash-data. While IDOT does not typically release individual police reports for city-handled crashes, its data can help families understand patterns at similar intersections.

Medical records for the injured

Individuals have a right to access their medical records under federal law. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services explains how to request medical records and what to expect regarding timing and fees. See HHS guidance: hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/medical-records. Include the date of service, the hospital or clinic name, and a request for all records related to treatment following the collision, including imaging and EMS run sheets if the facility maintains them.

Autopsy reports in the event of a fatality

Although this crash involved injuries and not a reported fatality, families facing the worst can request reports from the Cook County Medical Examiner. Instructions, eligibility, and fee information are available through the County’s site: cookcountyil.gov/agency/medical-examiner. In Cook County, the Medical Examiner, not a coroner, handles autopsies and related records.

Vision Zero Chicago resources

The City of Chicago’s Vision Zero program provides plans and maps focused on reducing traffic deaths and serious injuries, with attention to high-crash corridors and neighborhoods. Those materials can help contextualize risks around intersections like Belmont and Pulaski. See the City’s Vision Zero page: chicago.gov/…/vision-zero-chicago.html.

Insurance and claims considerations after a pedestrian crash

Illinois is an at-fault state. Typically, the driver’s liability insurance is the first line for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages when the driver is negligent. The Illinois Department of Insurance provides consumer information about auto insurance and required liability coverage: idoi.illinois.gov/consumers/insurance-basics/auto-insurance.html.

Before speaking with any insurance company—your own or the at-fault driver’s—it’s wise to consult with an attorney for a free consultation to understand your rights. Statements given to an adjuster can be recorded and used later to minimize a claim. Insurers may request wide-ranging medical authorizations; consider the scope and necessity of any release carefully after getting advice. Also consider these common claim issues:

• Comparative fault arguments. Even when a pedestrian had the walk signal, insurers may argue the person “darted out” or wasn’t visible. Evidence from video, timing of the signals, and witness statements can rebut that.
• Disputes over visibility and speed. A partially snow-covered windshield and a hard acceleration into a turn can be examined through vehicle photos, event data recorders (in some vehicles), and scene analysis.
• Medical causation. Adjusters sometimes minimize injuries as “preexisting.” Timely, consistent medical documentation helps connect the collision to the injury course.

Belmont Cragin community context and safety at busy intersections

Neighbors in Belmont Cragin know that Belmont and Pulaski can be hectic, especially during the morning hours when school drop-offs and deliveries overlap. The wide crossing distances, multiple turning movements, and heavy bus traffic create complex conflict points. City planning documents through Vision Zero Chicago emphasize managing turning speeds, improving signal timing, and enhancing crosswalk visibility to cut down on these types of crashes. Community members often advocate for daylighting corners, leading pedestrian intervals, and clear snow removal at ramps so people using mobility aids aren’t forced outside the crosswalk.

Seasonal realities matter too. After a wet snowfall, plowed ridges near the curb can push pedestrians further into the roadway and make drivers misjudge paths through turns. The best safety outcome depends on both parties doing the predictable thing: pedestrians use the walk, drivers yield and keep their windshields completely clear.

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Winter driving duty of care and visibility responsibilities

Driving in Chicago winters demands more than just warming up the car. Federal safety guidance calls for fully clearing windows, mirrors, headlights, and taillights, and adjusting speed for conditions. See NHTSA’s winter driving tips. Under Illinois law, it’s not only prudent—it’s required to avoid material obstruction of the driver’s clear view. See 625 ILCS 5/12-503.

At intersections like Belmont and Pulaski where turning paths can angle across the crosswalk, visibility is everything. A driver should be able to see the entire crosswalk area before moving. If snow, fogging, or dashboard clutter blocks even part of that view, waiting to clean it or repositioning matters. Those choices can be the difference between a near-miss and a life-changing injury.

Practical steps to take after a crosswalk collision

For those navigating the aftermath of a pedestrian crash in our city, here are grounded, practical steps focused on safety, documentation, and preserving rights:

• Medical care first. Accept transport from CFD or seek care as soon as possible, even if injuries feel “minor.” Some serious injuries aren’t obvious immediately.
• Document the scene if safe. Quick photos of the intersection, vehicle positions, and the vehicle’s windshield or windows can be critical. Ask a bystander to help if you can’t do it yourself.
• Identify witnesses. Collect names and contact details of anyone who saw the crash or provided aid.
• Preserve your clothing and footwear. Don’t wash or discard them; they can be examined if traction or visibility becomes an issue in the dispute.
• Request nearby video. Ask corner businesses politely if they’re willing to save footage from the relevant time, and make a note of the camera positions and managers’ names. Many systems overwrite within days.
• Obtain official records. Request the police crash report and related records via the City of Chicago FOIA page: chicago.gov/city/en/progs/foia.html. Note the date, time, and exact location.
• Keep a pain and treatment journal. Track symptoms, appointments, missed work, and how daily life is affected.
• Consult an attorney before talking to insurance. A brief, free consultation can help you understand what to say—and not say—before an adjuster calls. What you tell an insurer can be used to limit your claim later.

Timelines and limitation periods in Illinois

Illinois has deadlines for filing civil claims. For most personal injury claims, the limitation period is generally two years from the date of injury. See 735 ILCS 5/13-202. For claims under the Wrongful Death Act, actions are generally brought within two years as well, though there can be exceptions depending on the circumstances. See the Illinois Wrongful Death Act at 740 ILCS 180. Different deadlines may apply if a governmental entity is involved or if a minor is injured, so reviewing timelines early is important to avoid losing the ability to bring a claim.

Commentary from Gosuits Chicago, Illinois Personal Injury Attorney

Our hearts go out to the woman injured at Belmont and Pulaski and to everyone who witnessed the collision. Incidents like this are jarring for the entire Belmont Cragin community. This overview is meant for educational purposes and general information, so people understand the civil safety rules and processes that follow a serious pedestrian crash.

From our perspective, the core safety principles here are straightforward: turning drivers must yield to people with the walk signal, and vehicles should never be operated with snow or ice obstructing the driver’s view. When both parties were stopped together at the light and the pedestrian then stepped out on the walk signal, the driver’s duty to wait and ensure the crosswalk was fully clear still applied. Whether the turn was to the right or left, entering an occupied crosswalk was the critical error. If the windshield was partially snow-covered, that compounds the concern because it undercuts the driver’s ability to “see what should be seen.”

Insurance companies and, at times, corporate employers of drivers often move quickly after a crash. Adjusters may ask for recorded statements, broad medical releases, or quick settlements before the full scope of injuries is known. They do this because early statements can be used to minimize claims, and early settlements can cut off future responsibilities if additional problems surface. People deserve the chance to understand their rights before they’re boxed in by an insurer’s script.

A free consultation can level the playing field. It gives someone the space to talk through the facts, understand how Illinois rules about crosswalks and obstructed windshields might apply, and plan the best way to preserve evidence. It also helps people decide what to share with insurers and what to hold until documentation is complete.

Why acting promptly matters and what to do next

• Secure time-sensitive evidence now. Private security cameras around Belmont and Pulaski often overwrite footage within days. Acting quickly increases the chance that critical video is saved.
• Clarify the signal timing and turn path. The turning movement and pedestrian signal phase can be established using witness statements, video, and sometimes signal timing data. The sooner that work begins, the clearer the picture.
• Protect the record before talking to insurance. Insurance adjusters may call fast. Knowing what to say—and what to avoid—helps prevent misunderstandings that can be used later to reduce compensation. Consult an attorney first; what’s said to an insurer can be used against the claimant.
• Get medical documentation in order. Immediate and follow-up care not only supports recovery but creates a contemporaneous record that connects the crash to injuries. Delays or gaps are often exploited by insurers.
• Track expenses and impacts. Keep receipts, mileage to appointments, medication costs, and notes about missed work or disrupted caregiving. Organized documentation shortens the time to assemble a complete claim file.
• Mind the deadlines. Illinois law generally allows two years to bring most injury claims, with some exceptions. Starting early avoids last-minute scrambles and helps ensure all responsible parties are identified and notified within required timeframes.

Taking these steps promptly helps preserve options, strengthens any future claim, and supports a clearer understanding of what happened and why. In a community as tight-knit as Belmont Cragin, it also contributes to a broader conversation about safer winter driving, better visibility, and crosswalk respect at intersections like Belmont and Pulaski.

Key government resources referenced

• 625 ILCS 5/12-503 Obstruction of driver’s view
• 625 ILCS 5/11-1002 Pedestrians’ right-of-way in crosswalks
• 625 ILCS 5/11-306 Traffic-control signal legend
• City of Chicago FOIA portal for police and 911 records
• IDOT crash data resources
• Cook County Medical Examiner
• HHS guidance on accessing medical records
• Illinois Department of Insurance auto insurance basics
• Vision Zero Chicago
• NHTSA winter driving tips
• 735 ILCS 5/13-202 personal injury limitation period
• 740 ILCS 180 Wrongful Death Act