Cyndi Loza

A traffic aide was injured in a hit-and-run accident Sunday as the final Cubs-Sox interleague series game was played at U.S. Cellular Field. The woman was directing traffic before she was struck at 31st and La Salle shortly before 12:40 p.m., police said.

Witnesses said the unidentified aide was hit by a Chevrolet Silverado SUV, according to Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford. The SUV continued driving on La Salle, witnesses told officials.

The traffic aide was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in serious condition, but she had improved by Sunday evening, said Langford. She suffered “non-life-threatening injuries” including a broken arm and bruises.

Modesto Delgado, 27, of the 3100 block of South Normal, was charged Sunday night with leaving the scene of an accident, a felony, Police News Affairs Officer Amina Greer said. Delgado was cited for driving without a license, no insurance, failure to obey police, striking a pedestrian in a roadway and improper left turn. Delgado has a court appearance this morning.

Two Chicago traffic-control aides were killed earlier this year. Angela Jaynes Gage, 39, was directing traffic at Archer and Ashland in April when she was stuck by a car. Julian “Jay” Alamillo, 44, died from his injures after he was hit by a vehicle in March while directing traffic at Grand and Kilpatrick. Charges were filed against the drivers in both cases.

Incidents such as these have prompted city officials to push for tougher punishments for drivers who injure or kill traffic aides or crossing guards in Illinois.