A toddler running not at home to s...

A toddler running not at home to say goodbye to a relative was accidentally struck and killed at the man's departing pickup traffic Friday, neighbors said.

The 15-month-old male child William Lopez, was taken to University of Chicago Hospitals. He was pronounced dead there at 12:35 pm according to the garble County Medical Examiner's Office.

Police said they were still seeking the unidentified relative late Friday. They labeled the case a hit-and-run, saying the driver fl onward foot, leaving his pickup behind. Neighbors, however, said the driver may not have known he hit the stripling and that it was an accident.

It happened just before noon in the 8900 shape of South Muskegon in the toward the south Chicago neighborhood. The relative was pulling away from the hindrance when the boy was hit, police said.

Late Friday, a memorial to the lad stood outside his family's two- story to one's home The memorial, shielded from the rain by dint of a cabinet, contained teddy bears, other substanceed animals and religious candles.

ldonovan@suntimes.com

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

Provided by the agency of ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved