CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The son of 73-year-old man who was critically injured by a hit and run driver while he walked to church last Saturday evening in the Brighton Park neighborhood on Chicago's Southwest Side is appealing to the person responsible and to the community "to do the right thing."
Carlos Mendez stood in front of the Virgin Mary statue outside of Immaculate Conception Church at 44th Street and California Avenue, where his father, Efren, was hit and said, "my direct appeal to this person is just to do the right thing. People can't hide forever. And people's consciences break. And here in front of the Virgin Mary, God sees everything, God sees all and God sees you hiding and God is going to strike."
Alderman Ray Lopez believes the person responsible is from the neighborhood.
The family asks that people in the neighborhood take a look for it on security systems from last Saturday between 5-6 p.m.
They're also asking that auto repair shops and those who work on cars in their garages come forward if they see the Jeep.
"According to the priest, when the vehicle hit my father, in his plot to escape almost hit a mother with children, as well," he said.
Mendez said his father is still "fighting for his life."
Efren Mendez has rib, ankle and skull fractures and bleeding on the brain. My father is conscious, Carlos said, and has been praying a lot. He said his condition is still critical and he's in a lot of pain.
