Tribune Company today announced that it has increased the reward to $20,000 for information provided to the Chicago Police Department leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person or persons responsible for the hit and run death of Luis D. Mesa. Luis was the 8-year-old son of Maria Mesa, an employee of the Tribune-owned South Florida Sun-Sentinel and former Chicago Tribune employee.

Last summer, Luis and his family were in Chicago visiting relatives when he was struck and killed by a dark colored 4-door Chevrolet on the 6200 block of West Grand Avenue on Friday, August 15, 2003 at 9:30 p.m. CT. The car was traveling eastbound. At the time the accident occurred, Maria, Luis and his brother Andy, his aunt and two cousins were crossing the street after saying goodbye to family members at the end of a week-long vacation in Chicago.

Luis would have been getting ready to start the fourth grade this year at Palm Springs Elementary School near his home in Hialeah , Florida . He enjoyed drawing, reading and spending time with his brothers and parents, Maria and Jorge Felix.

“On behalf of our employee Maria Mesa, Tribune Company is again reaching out to the community for assistance in identifying those responsible for this terrible accident,” said Luis Lewin, Tribune Company senior vice president/human resources. “We hope that this increased reward will encourage anyone with information about the accident to come forward and speak with the Chicago Police.”

The company and the Chicago Police Department will partner with neighborhood community groups to distribute reward flyers in and around the accident site.

“More than 50,000 hit and run accidents occur in Chicago every year,” said Norbert Panek, Chicago Police Department sergeant. “We’re asking for the community’s help in solving this case and finding the person or persons responsible for Luis Mesa’s death.”

Anyone with information about the accident is encouraged to contact the Chicago Police Department at (312)745-4521.