Violet D. Harris Killed in Chicago Hit-and-Run Accident
15-year-old girl becomes latest victim in rising city traffic fatalities
Violet D. Harris, 15, of Chicago, died Saturday after a hit-and-run crash on E. 77th Street, police said.
An unidentified vehicle struck Harris, who was riding a motor scooter, at approximately 8:34 p.m. in the 2800 block of E. 77th Street. The driver then fled the scene.
Paramedics found the victim in critical condition. They rushed her to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where she later died, according to authorities.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the deceased.
Chicago Police Department Major Accident Detectives are investigating the crash. Police have not yet located the driver.
The Chicago Police Department’s Major Accident Detectives are leading the investigation into the fatal collision. As of Sunday, authorities had not released a description of the fleeing vehicle or any potential suspects. E. 77th Street remained under heavy police presence during the initial response as investigators canvassed the area for surveillance footage from nearby businesses and residential buildings. No arrests have been made, and the CPD is urging witnesses or anyone with relevant dashcam footage to contact the Major Accident Investigation Unit.
National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, noted that "What's truly haunting about hit-and-runs is the feeling of being abandoned in a moment of crisis. Most of these drivers are caught within forty-eight hours if there's any physical evidence left behind."
Illinois Wrongful Death Act
The Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180/) allows a personal representative of a deceased person's estate to file a civil action. This action can be brought against a party whose "wrongful act, neglect or default" caused the death. In cases involving a hit-and-run, the fleeing driver's failure to remain at the scene is often a central factor in establishing liability.
Damages recoverable in such claims typically include funeral and burial expenses, the loss of financial support the deceased would have provided, and compensation for the loss of companionship and emotional distress experienced by surviving family members.
Statute of Limitations in Illinois
Under Illinois law, a wrongful death claim generally must be filed within two years from the date of the death. However, specific circumstances, such as ongoing criminal proceedings related to the crash or the eventual identification of a previously unknown fleeing driver, could affect these timelines. Claims involving government entities or certain motor vehicle regulations may also be subject to different notice requirements and statutory limits.
Bond noted that in fatal hit-and-run incidents where the responsible driver is not found or is uninsured, the uninsured drivers portion of a family’s own insurance policy often becomes a primary source of potential compensation. This policy component is designed to address situations where the at-fault party cannot be identified or lacks sufficient insurance coverage.