By Tony Reid, Herald & Review, Decatur, Ill. The Tribune Content Agency
DECATUR - The Decatur cyclist who was the victim of a hit-and-run collision has died, and police announced Wednesday that the vehicle driver involved has been arrested and booked on a preliminary charge of reckless homicide.
Macon County Jail records show suspect Brandon T. Blue, 40, was booked into custody at 10:47 a.m. Wednesday. The Decatur man faces an additional charge of leaving the scene of an accident causing death and is due to be arraigned Thursday in Macon County Circuit Court.
Reports from the Decatur Police Department said the collision happened at 8:53 p.m. Friday as the 52-year-old cyclist was headed south in the 700 block of North Oakland Avenue.
He was struck by a Pontiac sport utility vehicle which was described as fleeing southbound before it crashed into a curb and became disabled on Cerro Gordo Street.
"The driver of the Pontiac then walked away from the scene on foot," according to a statement from the police.
The severely injured cyclist was taken to hospital in Decatur and then airlifted to a regional trauma center in Springfield, according to police. He died Sept. 30 and his identity has not yet been released by the Sangamon County coroner.
"Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the victim in this incident," said Sgt. Steve Hagemeyer.
"We also applaud the efforts of the (police department's) Fatal Accident Investigation Team and DPD detectives for their vigorous work in this case."
Hagemeyer said the investigation into the fatality remains active and he appealed for anyone with information to come forward. Call the police at 217-424-2734 or Crimestoppers at 217-423-8477.
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Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid