Highland Park Bicyclist killed
Highland Park Bicyclist killed (Image via Lake & Mchenry scanner Max Weingardt

On Friday night, June 2, at 12:37 p.m., the Highland Park police and the fire department received a report from the locals about a hit-and-run bike accident. When they arrived, they found out that the bicyclist was badly hurt. The police then started to look for the car that fatally injured the bicyclist and then drove away.

After investigation, on Sunday, the bicyclist was identified as a school board member of the Deerfield Elementary School District 109.

She later died, and according to the autopsy performed on her, the cause of her death was blunt force trauma.

Who was the victim of the Highland Park Hit-and-Run? 

The Lake County Coroner’s Office identified the bicyclist as 49-year-old Maureen Wener. The authorities took her to the Advocate Condell Medical Centre in Libertyville. She then passed away immediately after arrival.

“Needless to say, this is a devastating loss for our community,” Michael V. Simeck, the superintendent of District 109, said while addressing a letter to the faculty and staff on Sunday. “My thoughts are immediately with her son and husband.”

Simeck noted in his letter to the neighborhood that Wener had participated in the eighth-grade graduation ceremonies the previous week, demonstrating how much she cared about Deerfield schools and its children.

“Maureen’s ready wit, optimism, and affection for our staff punctuated all of her conversations,” he wrote. “We have lost a passionate advocate for our schools, a beloved mother and partner of many of our staff, and a giving community member.”

Who was Maureen Wener? 

Maureen Wener was a mother, friend, and role model in her community. Wener attended District 109 schools, according to the Deerfield School District Caucus 109 website.

Wener earned a political science bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas and a political science master’s degree from Northeastern University.

  • She worked for international NGOs and the government before staying home with her son. She held positions in external relations for Rotary International and as chief of staff to an Illinois state senator.
  • Wener held a position on the board of the Deerfield Public Library before her election to the District 109 school board in 2021. She served as both the panel’s secretary and president after being chosen to join in 2015.

According to her neighbors, she left behind her husband, Paul Rundell, and their son.

Hit-and-Run incident: Latest update

Just after 12:30 p.m. on June 2, a hit-and-run vehicle struck and killed Wener. The tragic incident took place near Deerfield and Piccadilly roads in Highland Park.

Before the cops arrived, according to resident Steven Hiller, one woman started performing CPR right away. She was immediately transported to a local hospital after suffering serious injuries but was later declared dead.  

According to police, the car had already left the scene when they arrived. No one has been arrested yet, and police have not given a description of the car that struck Wener.

On Twitter, the mayor of Highland Park, Nancy Rotering, noted that due to the accident on Deerfield Road between Carriage Way and Lilac Lane, the road was temporarily closed after the incident.

The Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team assists Highland Park police in their investigation. The police have requested everyone with information about the accident to call them at (847) 432-7730 or email them at [email protected].

We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Maureen Wener. May she rest in peace.

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Bias Sinha Sarkar
https://www.spieltimes.com/author/bias
Bias Sinha is a Writer at Spiel Times. She is an introvert who is currently pursuing her Bachelors in Education. Moreover, she used to work as a freelance content writer. She is interested in books, old movies, and K-dramas. In her leisure time, she likes to read, make DIY crafts, create scrapbooks, watch series and spend time with her fur baby. Furthermore, she is also writing her own book.