Family wants motorist charged in Oak Lawn man’s death

By Joe Boyle

Mourners of an Oak Lawn man who was struck and killed by a passing motorist are demanding that the driver be charged for the crime.

Murod Kurdi, 28, was standing alongside his parked car near his home in the 9100 block of South Tulley Avenue on June 5 when he was then struck by a driver who, according to published reports, continued driving for a block before stopping.

According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, Kurdi died from his injuries about 8:10 p.m. June 6 at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.

According to the family’s attorney, David Petrich, the driver of the vehicle that hit Kurdi — a 27-year-old woman — had not been charged as of Tuesday afternoon.

According to Petrich, the woman was cited for speeding and was released. The Oak Lawn Police Department has not commented publicly about the incident as of Tuesday.

However, the village provided a statement following the incident.

“The matter remains under investigation and we are pursuing several avenues in that regard. The village sympathizes with the loss of life, and expresses its condolences to Mr. Kurdi’s family,” according to the statement.

While the Oak Lawn police say they want to follow the investigation, Petrich said an official with the department told him that the woman said she had two drinks of alcohol at a local establishment, and admitted to speeding and using a cellphone right before the incident.

Petrich said despite this information, the woman was allowed to leave with just a citation. The attorney said the woman also had a 4-year-old child in her vehicle.

However, this information from the attorney, although widely reported, could not be substantiated as of Tuesday.

After Kurdi’s death, a protest was held outside the Oak Lawn police station on June 20 with family members and community activists present. Relatives, friends and community organization representatives claim that Kurdi’s death is not taken seriously due to the fact he was of Arab descent.

According to Petrich, he was told an officer could smell alcohol on the driver’s breath. She reportedly also refused to take a breathalyzer test. Protesters later said the officers should have demanded the driver take one.

Kurdi lived at home with his mother and brother. He was a sales consultant at Zeigler Ford in North Riverside. He was the main supporter of his family after his father died several months ago, according to Petrich.

Community activists and relatives are currently urging authorities to charge the driver with at least aggravated DUI involving Kurdi’s death.