Bicyclist Killed in Hit-and-run on Route 53

Photo via: Joliet Patch

A bicyclist has been killed in a crash in Elwood. 

De’Avion Smith, originally from New Orleans, was the victim of a fatal hit-and-run after a truck allegedly

struck him while he was riding his bicycle.       

On the morning of Nov. 25, Illinois State troopers responded to Route 53 southbound at Thele Road in Elwood for a report of a body lying on the ground. 

When officers arrived at the scene they discovered the body of a young man who had been struck by a vehicle. He was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead. 

According to state police, the crash occurred sometime between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 24. The vehicle that struck Smith was traveling southbound on Route 53 and is believed to be a black 2007-2013 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, police say. One of the vehicle's front headlights and part of the front bumper were found at the scene. 

According to the Joliet Patch, a Joliet community activist Trista Graves Brown reached out to Patch and identified the victim as Smith. Brown told Patch that Smith had recently moved to Joliet from New Orleans and believes he may have been riding his bike between Joliet and Wilmington. 

A GoFundMe was created by Smith’s mother, Tashondra Smith, in order to pay for funeral expenses. 

Smith’s mother writes, “De'Avion was a hard-working young man who loved God, his family members, friends and church members. He brought joy and laughter to everyone who came in contact with [him].”

Illinois State Police are requesting the public's assistance with the investigation. Anyone who was driving in the area around that date and time and may have dash camera footage or witnessed the scene are asked to contact ISP Special Agents at 815-221-2709 or submit a tip on ISP’s Crime Tip website.