Man killed in hit-and-run crash in Portage Park

A man was killed in a hit-and-run crash early Saturday in the Portage Park neighborhood on the Northwest Side, police said.

A 2002 Honda Civic driven by 38-year-old Cesar Diaz struck a tree about 1:40 a.m. in the 5400 block of West Irving Park Road, police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.

The Honda and a dark-colored van were speeding eastbound on Irving Park, when the van struck the Honda and the Honda then crashed into the tree, police said. The occupants of the van then ran away and deserted their vehicle.

Diaz, who lived in the 4900 block of West Wrightwood, was the only occupant of the Honda, authorities said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The police Major Accidents Investigation Unit is investigating the crash.

A person was killed in a crash early Saturday in the 5000 block of West Irving Park Road. | Network Video Productions