ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — Rock Island Police are still searching for a suspect in a hit-and-run crash that happened near the Centennial Bridge.
Police said on Nov. 1 at 3:56 PM, the suspect was driving a stolen red Hyundai Azera on Route 92 just near the bridge's off-ramp before crashing into a silver Chevrolet Aveo.
The driver of the Chevrolet car, a 52-year-old man, was killed in the crash, and an occupant of the Hyundai was injured. Witnesses said the suspect fled the scene.
"The driver of the victim vehicle - there's nothing they could have done; they didn't do anything wrong," Rock Island Police Chief Richard Landi said. "This was a person that was driving recklessly in a stolen vehicle that caused this accident."
Chief Landi expressed frustration over what he described as a senseless act.
"The sad part of this is it potentially could have been prevented, because it was a stolen car," he said.
Police couldn't confirm any details about the suspect, but said that juveniles have been involved in several car thefts in the Quad Cities previously.
"They're driving around in stolen cars, looking for other cars to steal," Chief Landi said. "They'll dump one car and they run around with that car. And unfortunately, as they're doing it, they're driving recklessly. They're recording it and putting it on social media. For them, this is entertainment - this is a game."
The chief said he needs the community's help to prevent more car thefts.
"Don't give the opportunity for these individuals to do this," he said. "Lock up your car, don't leave valuables, don't leave firearms in your cars - do everything you can to prevent this from happening."
He also encouraged parents and guardians to keep kids away from negative influences.
"Know where your kids are at, make sure your kids are staying out of trouble, teaching them right from wrong - things like that," Chief Landi said. "That's where it starts."
Chief Landi added that the justice system does what it can to address juvenile crime, but that it can only do so much. He said more legislative action may be needed to combat the issue.
Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact the Rock Island Police Department at (309) 732-2677 or Crime Stoppers at (309) 762-9500 or using the P3 Tips app.
Watch more news, weather and sports on News 8's YouTube channel