Girl, 5, Struck And Killed By Truck Near Arlington Heights

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — A 5-year-old Arlington Heights girl was killed Saturday night after being struck by a truck near Arlington Heights. Maria Nica, who lived in the 4000 block of Jennifer Lane in Palatine Township — near where the accident took place — was pronounced dead at 12:03 a.m. Sunday, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

Jesus Guillen Escobar, 28, is accused of striking Nica around 11 p.m. while driving his Ford F-150 in an unknown direction, according to the Cook County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday. Escobar remained on the scene and failed a field sobriety test, police said. He was taken into custody and transported to Northwest Community Hospital.

Criminal charges are pending as the investigation is ongoing and police are awaiting blood work, according to the Cook County Sheriff's Office.

"We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of this young victim," Kathy Carmody, director of public relations for the Cook County Sheriff's Office, told Patch.