On Friday, relatives of Edward Price, an Army veteran who lost his life in a Hillside parking lot incident earlier this week, shared their memories exclusively with ABC7.
Remembering a Life of Service
Edward Price is recalled as a devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His son Anthony Price described him as a Vietnam War veteran who received the Purple Heart and spent years advocating for children while working for the state.
"He said, 'I need you to get this paperwork, in case anything ever happens to me,' life insurance paperwork, and it was almost prophetic," Anthony Price said. "Within an hour and a half later, he was, he was no longer with us."
The 78-year-old, who had survived being shot during his service in Vietnam, tragically died amid sudden chaos.
"That's why I was shocked," Anthony Price said. "My first conversation to the doctor was I just talked to him. What do you mean?"
Details of the Incident
Police reported that on Wednesday around midday, the driver of an SUV may have experienced a medical episode before colliding with multiple vehicles, including a police squad car with two officers inside, near Butterfield Road and Laverne in Hillside.
The driver then continued east on Butterfield before veering into a Walgreens parking lot, hitting more vehicles and striking Edward Price, who was using a walker on a pedestrian ramp.
"The weather had receded a little bit. It had gotten a little bit warmer, and that's when he ventured out, yeah, unfortunately," Anthony Price said.
Edward Price did not drive and had been disabled since a previous vehicle crash years ago. He had retired from his role as a child welfare specialist with Illinois DCFS.
"I just think he was an advocate for people," Anthony Price said. "He was one of these people that commanded the room."
Aftermath and Investigation
Despite his loss, Anthony Price expressed concern for the two injured officers and the 73-year-old driver, who remains hospitalized.
"My father is no longer with us, but ideally both officers will have full recovery, and so will the other driver," Anthony Price said.
Hillside police are continuing their investigation into the crash. As of Friday evening, the driver has not been charged or cited.
