WAUKEGAN, Ill. – Authorities are investigating a devastating hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of a pregnant woman late Sunday night in Waukegan. The fatal collision occurred just after 9:30 p.m. near the intersection of Grand Avenue and Jackson Street, according to the Lake County Coroner’s Office. Police said a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle, and the driver fled the scene without stopping.
First responders arrived within minutes and discovered that 36-year-old Michelle Heidbrick of Mundelein had been critically injured while crossing the roadway. Emergency crews rushed her to Vista Medical Center East, but despite lifesaving efforts, she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Officials later revealed that Heidbrick had been pregnant, about halfway through her second trimester, making the tragedy even more heartbreaking.
An autopsy conducted Monday morning confirmed that Heidbrick died from blunt-force trauma sustained in the crash. The Lake County Coroner’s Office said her death, along with the loss of her unborn child, has left family, friends, and the wider community in shock and mourning. Neighbors and loved ones described her as a warm, caring woman who was excited about becoming a mother.
Investigators with the Waukegan Police Department’s Major Crash Unit are now leading the search for the hit-and-run driver. Detectives are reviewing physical evidence from the scene and analyzing footage from traffic and surveillance cameras in hopes of identifying the suspect vehicle. As of Monday evening, police had not released a description of the car or driver.
The fatal crash has renewed longstanding concerns about pedestrian safety along Grand Avenue, a heavily traveled corridor in Waukegan. Residents have often warned that crossing the roadway can be dangerous, even at marked intersections. This tragedy, they say, underscores the urgent need for improved safety measures to protect pedestrians, particularly during busy evening hours.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. Witnesses or those with knowledge about the crash are asked to contact the Waukegan Police Department immediately. Police stressed that even small details could be crucial in locating the vehicle and driver responsible. They also reminded motorists that fleeing the scene of a crash is a serious offense with severe legal consequences, and more importantly, it denies victims critical aid in moments when every second matters.