Pedestrian killed in hit-and-run

By RYAN ORI Journal Star

Posted May 29, 2009 @ 09:31 AM Last update May 29, 2009 @ 09:46 PM

PEORIA — Shea A. Satterlee enjoyed walks at all hours of the day. The 19-year-old never returned home from his last walk early Friday. Satterlee, who lived at 1311 Dean St., was found lying on Illinois Route 29, the victim of a hit-and-run accident involving a pickup truck that later stalled in East Peoria. The 2008 Illinois Valley Central High School graduate was discovered by a passer-by who dialed 911 about 12:15 a.m. The pedestrian, who was wearing black clothing, was pronounced dead at 1:05 a.m. at the scene. Satterlee was struck in the right, southbound lane near the Fast Break convenience store at 9327 N. Galena Road and was flung farther south. Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll conducted an autopsy Friday and determined Satterlee died of multiple injuries. Results of toxicology tests, which will check for alcohol and drugs, are expected to be available in a couple of weeks. The Coroner's Office and Peoria County Sheriff's Department both said they are investigating whether Satterlee was in the road intentionally, but relatives dispute that notion. "We are definitely investigating why he was in the road," Capt. Dave Briggs said. The driver of the pickup, Gary L. Street, 46, of 104 Wildwood, Groveland, was ticketed and given a notice to appear in court for leaving the scene of a fatal accident and failure to give aid. According to a report from a sheriff's deputy, Street was located in East Peoria near U.S. Route 24 and Illinois Route 116. A state trooper stopped to assist Street on the side of the road and noticed the pickup had front-end damage and was overheating. Street told the trooper he thought he struck a deer near Detweiller Park - which is just south of the accident scene - but continued driving until overheating. Street agreed to go to Methodist Medical Center to submit to blood and urine tests used to check for intoxication. "He seemed credible," Briggs said. "He was very cooperative the entire time." Friends and family erected a cross and flowers at the scene of Satterlee's death and also congregated at his home in a neighborhood across the street from Fast Break. Satterlee and his brother Trenton were raised by their mother, Kelli Hess, and stepdad, Carl Hess, on the side street near the Illinois River. His legal name was Satterlee, but he often used Hess or Satterlee-Hess as his last name, his mother said. "He loved to walk at night, mushroom hunt, ride three-wheelers - anything about being outside and being free," Kelli Hess said. Relatives said Satterlee cut through the trees along Galena Road countless times on his way to get drinks and snacks at the convenience store. They believe he was on his way home from Fast Break when he was struck. Although Satterlee was bipolar, his mom said he had been taking his medication and seemed upbeat. Relatives said they doubt the possibility of suicide. "Shea had so many friends," Kelli Hess said. "Look how many people there are here. Shea would not do that. "We went to lunch yesterday and went to visit friends, and he was happy. Yesterday was a happy day."

Ryan Ori can be reached at 686-3264 or rori@pjstar.com. http://www.pjstar.com/news/x702316321/Pedestrian-killed-early-Friday-by-hit-and-run-driver

Shea A Satterlee