The Waukegan Police Major Crash Unit is currently investigating a tragic hit-and-run incident that occurred on Sunday night. The victim’s family is asking the public for assistance in locating the driver responsible for leaving their pregnant relative to die in the road in Waukegan, Illinois.
For the family of 36-year-old Michelle Heidbrick, it still has not sunk in.
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“It doesn’t seem real. It’s been hard just trying to, you know, just process everything,” said Nicole Heidbrick, the victim’s sister.
Nicole is left devastated over the loss of her younger sister and best friend, who was excited about the life she was going to bring into the world.
“She had called me last week, and she was excited. She’s like, ‘Nicole, I heard the baby kick for the first time,'” Nicole said.
But it all came to a tragic end near the corner of Grand Avenue and Jackson Street in Waukegan around 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
A hit-and-run driver struck Michelle while she crossed the street on foot. The driver then sped away.
Michelle, who suffered critical injuries, was taken to Vista Medical Center East, where she was pronounced dead.
Doctors were unable to save the baby. Michelle’s pregnancy was at the 22-week mark.
“She had an appointment with the doctor next week to discover the gender of her baby. It was through the autopsy we learned she was expecting a boy,” shared Nicole. “She was incredibly sweet and kind, someone who wouldn’t harm a soul. She was so generous she would give you the shirt off her back.”
Michelle also leaves behind a teenage son. Her family is asking for help finding the driver who left the scene.
“Somebody come forward because we need answers. Why? Why did you have to just keep going?” Nicole said.
The family shared that a witness recounted seeing the driver momentarily pause after the collision before quickly fleeing the scene. According to the Lake County Coroner’s Office, Michelle succumbed to blunt-force injuries.
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