A Democratic county official near Chicago is drawing national scrutiny after she allegedly hit a child with her car and fled the scene, according to published reports.
Jackie Traynere, a member of the Will County Board, received only a ticket for failing to yield on a right-of-way when her vehicle struck a child in a crosswalk. Multiple witnesses reported that as the child, riding his bicycle from a nearby sidewalk, entered the crosswalk with southbound traffic halted, Traynere’s car made an illegal turn and hit him.
The incident occurred earlier this month and only emerged after WGN9 filed a Freedom of Information Act request based on a tip. The station subsequently obtained body camera footage from responding police officers.
According to the report, officers who interviewed the child noted that he saw the illuminated crosswalk sign and believed it was safe to cross. However, as he stepped into the crosswalk, a blue car driven by Traynere turned and struck him.
Paramedics responded at the scene and treated him, though they did not transport him to the hospital. The report notes that his bicycle’s chain was damaged. Following the incident, Traynere drove to the police station, where she said she saw a child “fall off” his bike but expressed uncertainty about whether she had hit him.
