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Driver Charged In Fatal Hit-And-Run In Waukegan

Updated 10/16/11 at 10:48 a.m.

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (CBS) – A 22-year-old Waukegan man has been charged in connection with the hit-and-run death of an elderly woman Thursday night.

Christian T. Jensen of the 700 block of Grand Avenue was charged with leaving the scene of an accident that caused death or personal injury, a Class 1 felony, Waukegan police Saturday night.

Pilar Ponce, 73, died after she was struck by a truck along Grand Avenue at Pine Street shortly before 8 p.m. Thursday. Surveillance cameras in the area provided images of the vehicle, which had distinctive features, such as a ladder across its top.

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The vehicle drove off but then doubled back and parked nearby, police said. The occupants got out at the accident scene, where bystanders had gathered and left, police said.

A resident who saw news coverage about the hit-and-run contacted the Glenview Police department regarding the offending vehicle, Waukegan authorities said. Glenview police located the vehicle, and Jensen was taken into custody by Waukegan police.

He was charged Saturday and is expected in Lake County bond court Sunday.

Waukegan police praised news media and the anonymous tipster for helping break the case.

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