Update 3:04 AM May 17 — Chicago police said this morning that a man has surrendered to investigators in connection with this case. CWBChicago will post updates as they become available.
“You just threatened to run her over!” That’s what a bystander yelled to a food delivery worker Friday evening, seconds before the driver accelerated his car and struck a woman in Lakeview.
“You threatened to run me over,” says a woman standing near the car. In the driver’s seat, the motorist waves her out of the way of his idling car. But she doesn’t budge.
Cellphone video and new details have emerged of a hit-and-run incident that left a Boystown restaurant worker hospitalized Friday evening.
Bijan Early, 24, remains in intensive care at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center with head and arm injuries, according to Chicago police and a family member.
The events leading up to the video began around 6:15 p.m. while Early worked at her family’s business, Mrs. T’s Southern Fried Chicken at 3433 North Broadway. A Grubhub delivery driver became irate when the restaurant’s workers asked him to practice social distancing while waiting for his order, the family reported. Chicago police confirmed that the driver was working for a food delivery company.
The man allegedly kicked the restaurant’s front door and got into his car to drive away. But Early stepped outside to get his license plate number and prevent him from leaving the scene while police responded.
Video shows Early standing near the front driver’s side of the man’s car for more than 40 seconds.
“We’re just trying to be essential workers,” Early is heard saying on the video just moments before she is struck. “This is totally ridiculous.”
Then, the car begins moving, pushing Early out of view as it moves into the northbound lane of Broadway.
The Toyota Prius’ license plate number is clearly visible in the video and general details of the driver’s face can be seen.
Grubhub said in a statement that the company has provided the driver’s information to Chicago police. The driver has been removed from the platform, the company said.