Marine veteran seriously injured in Irving Park hit-and-run

CHICAGO (May 20, 2022) – A U.S. Marine veteran who fought in Operation Desert Storm is seriously injured and may lose his leg after a hit-and-run in Irving Park over the weekend.

According to Chicago police, 48-year-old Raul Basulto was servicing an ATM when he was struck by a Chevy truck in the 4000-block of North Pulaski on May 14. Investigators said after the crash, the truck fled westbound on Irving Park Road.

Police have yet to locate the truck, but provided a description as a possible blue or gray Chevrolet Silverado Z71 pickup truck with a hardtop. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Chicago Police Department.

Basulto’s family said after he was hit, his Marines training immediately kicked in. His right leg was crushed, including the artery, so he tried to stop the bleeding by creating a tourniquet with his belt. A child on a bicycle heard yelling and stopped to help Basulto and called 911. When medics arrived, Basulto was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center for treatment.

His family told ABC 7 Chicago he recently came out of his second surgery and it is still unclear if he will be able to keep his leg. The family says they are leaning on Basulto’s own positive outlook to help him pull through. He was transferred to Northwestern Memorial Hospital Wednesday night in an effort to give him more options to save his leg

Basulto is well known in Elmwood Park and the surrounding communities as a scout master who has helped children move on to become Eagle Scouts. He is the father of 19-year-old triplets and works at the VFW post in River Grove.