Maryiah Ford Killed in Lynwood Hit-and-Run Accident
The 20-year-old was walking for gas when she was struck by an unidentified SUV that fled the scene
Maryiah Ford, 20, of Sauk Village, was killed in a hit-and-run crash on Illinois Route 394 near Joe Orr Road in Lynwood early Monday, according to the Illinois State Police.
The victim and a relative had run out of gas and were walking along the southbound lanes with their cell phone flashlights illuminated when an SUV traveling without headlights struck the young woman. The impact threw Ford into the roadside weeds, and the driver fled the scene without stopping.
Relatives performed CPR until troopers arrived. Paramedics transported Ford to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Investigators are actively searching for the unidentified driver and the suspect vehicle. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the fatal collision to come forward.
The crash occurred just after midnight as the family was returning home from celebrating the victim's birthday.
The sudden loss of a loved one in a hit-and-run leaves families grappling with deep grief and unanswered questions. While the criminal justice system focuses on locating the fleeing driver, legal professionals emphasize the importance of parallel civil investigations to protect the family's rights.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Identifying a driver who flees a catastrophic crash can take weeks or months, leaving affected families stuck in a frustrating limbo without clear answers about what happened."
"An experienced attorney can help keep pressure on the investigative process, staying in close contact with law enforcement and making sure momentum never stalls while accountability remains uncertain," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2,758 deaths occurred in traffic crashes involving hit-and-run drivers nationwide in 2024.
Why did the driver flee the scene on Illinois Route 394?
Even when a hit-and-run driver remains unidentified, families may still have avenues for financial recovery through their own uninsured drivers coverage.
What evidence are investigators looking for in Lynwood?
Illinois wrongful death statute
Under 740 ILCS 180, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Illinois applies modified comparative fault (50% bar). The statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of society, and grief.
"Strong evidence preservation is often one of the most important parts of any fatal crash investigation because important details rarely wait for unanswered questions," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "Acting early can make a real difference, and an attorney may help preserve critical evidence while protecting surviving relatives throughout insurance claims and legal proceedings."