Michelle Heidbrick Obituary, Death – Authorities in the north suburbs are investigating a devastating hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of a pregnant woman late Sunday evening. According to the Lake County Coroner’s Office, the incident took place just after 9:30 p.m. near the intersection of Grand Avenue and Jackson Street in Waukegan. Police and fire personnel responded to emergency calls reporting that a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle.
When first responders arrived, they discovered that a 36-year-old woman had been hit while attempting to cross the roadway near the intersection. The driver involved did not remain at the scene, leaving the critically injured victim behind. Emergency crews provided immediate medical assistance before transporting her to Vista Medical Center East.
Despite the efforts of medical staff, the woman was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Authorities later identified her as Michelle Heidbrick, a resident of Mundelein. Officials revealed that Heidbrick had been pregnant at the time of the crash, approximately midway through her second trimester.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office reported that an autopsy was conducted Monday morning. Preliminary results showed that Heidbrick died from blunt-force trauma sustained in the collision. Her death has left family members and the wider community mourning the loss of both a young woman and her unborn child.
Police said the motorist responsible for the crash fled immediately after the impact, and investigators are now working to locate the vehicle and identify the driver. The Waukegan Police Department’s Major Crash Unit has taken over the case. Detectives are reviewing evidence from the scene and are expected to analyze traffic cameras and nearby surveillance footage in hopes of tracking the suspect vehicle.
The crash occurred along Grand Avenue, a busy stretch in Waukegan that sees heavy traffic, particularly during evening hours. Residents in the area have often voiced concerns about pedestrian safety along the corridor, noting that crossing can be hazardous even at designated intersections. This latest tragedy has renewed those concerns and raised fresh calls for action to improve roadway safety.
Authorities have not released any description of the vehicle or suspect involved, but they are appealing to the public for help. Police are urging anyone who may have witnessed the collision, or who has information about the driver, to contact investigators. Even small details, they emphasized, could prove vital in solving the case.
Hit-and-run incidents remain a troubling issue across Illinois and nationwide. Leaving the scene of a fatal crash is a serious offense that can result in lengthy prison sentences if the driver is apprehended and convicted. Beyond the legal consequences, such actions leave families without closure and heighten the grief of losing loved ones so suddenly and violently.
Heidbrick’s death is particularly heartbreaking given her pregnancy. Friends and neighbors described her as a warm, caring individual who was looking forward to motherhood. Now, her family must grapple with an unimaginable loss while investigators continue their search for the person responsible.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office and Waukegan Police Department both stressed that the investigation is ongoing and that additional details will be shared as they become available. For now, the focus remains on identifying the fleeing driver and bringing justice to Heidbrick’s grieving family.
As the community processes the tragedy, officials are reminding both drivers and pedestrians of the importance of vigilance on the roads. Police noted that drivers must remain at the scene of any crash, regardless of the circumstances, to render aid and comply with the law. Pedestrians, meanwhile, are encouraged to exercise caution, especially on heavily traveled streets like Grand Avenue.
The investigation continues, with authorities determined to hold the hit-and-run driver accountable.
