DUI charges in fatal hit-and-run that knocked woman off overpass

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Updated: January 17, 2012 3:06PM

DOLTON - A south suburban motorist was charged with DUI Tuesday for allegedly fatally striking a pedestrian so hard that she was knocked off an overpass early Sunday in Dolton.

A person initially called Dixmoor police about 5:55 a.m. to report that a motorist struck a pedestrian in the 300 block of East Sibley Boulevard and knocked her off an overpass, Dolton spokeswoman Taquoya Kennedy said.

The Dixmoor Police Department called Dolton police, who arrived in five minutes and found the woman dead on the scene, Kennedy said. Initially listed as a Jane Doe, the woman was identified by police as 39-year-old Dolton resident Kosetta Ratliff.

The motorist -- 32-year-old Tnia Griffin -- did not stop, Kennedy said. Police located her about 30 minutes later near Interstate 80/294 and Torrence Avenue near Lansing.

A Monday autopsy confirmed Ratliff died of multiple injuries from a mini van striking a pedestrian and the death was ruled an accident, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.

Griffin, of Dolton, was charged Tuesday morning with one count of aggravated DUI causing death, Kennedy said.