The daughter of a Rockford man killed by a hit-and-run driver more than six months ago says her family can’t rest until there is an arrest in the case.
Jose de la Luz Paz, 61, was crossing the intersection of East State Street and Arnold Avenue around 8:30 a.m. on Friday, September 15, 2023 when he was struck by a car.
“He rode his bike for work,” said Paz’s daughter, Jessi Ortiz.
Ortiz said things started to look up after her father arrived at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in critical condition, but his condition worsened.
“A few days after I was admitted to the hospital, my father died,” she said.
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According to the Winnebago County Coroner’s Office, Paz succumbed to head injuries in the hospital on Wednesday, September 27, 2023.
Ortiz said her family is finding it a little harder every day knowing the person responsible for her father’s death is still at large.
“There is no idea who the person is,” Ortiz, 34, said. “I don’t know if the police are working on the case.”
Ortiz added that her family is not seeking revenge, only justice.
“It would be fair if they caught the person who killed him,” she said.
According to witnesses, the car that struck Paz and left the scene before police and ambulance arrived was a tan 1997-1999 Toyota Camry. Investigators located the badly damaged vehicle in Minnesota, but did not find the driver. It has not been reported to whom the Toyota is registered.
Rockford police confirmed the investigation is ongoing. A GoFundMe campaign is still underway to help Paz’s family recover his medical and funeral expenses.
Anyone with information about the death of Jose de la Luz Paz is asked to call Rockford police at 815-966-2900 or Rockford Area Crime Stoppers at 815-963-7867.
Jim Hagerty writes about business, growth and development and other news topics for the Rockford Register Star. Email him at jhagerty@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Family of fatal Rockford hit-and-run victim still awaits suspect’s arrest
