EAST CHICAGO, IN — A pedestrian struck during a crash outside Ralo’s Cocktail Lounge early Sunday morning is in critical condition from his injuries, according to East Chicago Police Chief Jose Rivera.
Police said the incident occurred around 2:53 a.m. Sunday near 140th Street and Alder Street while East Chicago officers were patrolling the area around Ralo’s Cocktail Lounge.
According to investigators, officers observed a large crowd gathered in and around the roadway when they saw a vehicle traveling westbound on 140th Street at a high rate of speed approaching Alder Street. Police said the vehicle ignored a stop sign at the intersection and crashed into another vehicle that was legally crossing through the intersection before striking a pedestrian standing in the street.
Authorities said the occupants of the offending vehicle fled the scene on foot immediately after the crash and remain unidentified.
The pedestrian was transported to a Chicago-area hospital, where he remains in critical condition. Police previously reported he had passed but have since corrected that misinformation relayed to them. His identity is being withheld.
The East Chicago Police Department Traffic Division is handling the crash investigation, which remains ongoing. Police are asking anyone with information about the crash or the identities of those involved to contact the East Chicago Police Department.
In the wake of this incident, East Chicago officials are also taking action regarding ongoing issues tied to Ralo’s Cocktail Lounge.
According to Chief Rivera, the owner and manager of the business have been ordered to attend a meeting with the East Chicago Police Department and Code Enforcement Division on May 18 to address repeated disturbances, nuisance activity, and calls for service connected to the establishment.
Police said officers have already responded to 23 calls for service at the location in 2026. Department records show police responded to 65 calls associated with the business in 2025.
Calls for service documented at the location this year include disturbances, fights, battery reports, public intoxication incidents, suspicious incidents, alarms, harassment complaints, and repeated extra patrol requests. Residents in the surrounding neighborhood have reportedly raised ongoing concerns about reckless behavior and public safety issues tied to activity around the business.
The East Chicago Police Department said patrol presence in the area will be increased and proactive enforcement efforts will continue in an attempt to curb nuisance activity and reckless behavior.
