Pregnant mom crossing street killed in hit-and-run: Cops
Share this @internewscast.com

Left inset: Rosalinda Vaca (Waukegan Police Department). Right inset: Michelle Heidbrick (GoFundMe). Background: The intersection of Grand Avenue and Jackson Street in Waukegan, Ill., where Rosalinda Vaca allegedly killed Michelle Heidbrick in a hit-and-run crash on Sunday night, Sept. 21, 2025 (WGN/YouTube).

A pregnant Illinois mother crossing the street with her fiancé was struck and killed by a woman in a Land Rover, who claimed to police she was unaware of what she had hit, according to local investigators.

It wasn”t until after the woman allegedly saw reports about the victim’s death that she realized it was a person, cops say.

“All I heard was a smack,” recounted Charlie Walkanoff, fiance of victim Michelle Heidbrick, in an emotional interview with local CW affiliate WGN.

“Next thing I knew, she’s rolling down the street,” Walkanoff said, crying. “They hit my baby so hard. I was trying to yell to get people to call 911, and someone stopped, and they did.”

Rosalinda Vaca, 49, is charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving death, a felony, following the Sunday night hit-and-run incident in Waukegan, according to online court records. Her black 2016 Land Rover SUV was seized by police and is currently being examined as part of the ongoing investigation, as reported by the Lake and McHenry County Scanner. Heidbrick’s unborn baby was also killed.

Police reportedly questioned Vaca about the incident, and she allegedly admitted to knowing she struck something on Sunday night in the area of Grand Avenue and Jackson Street, but claimed she was unaware of what it was.

It wasn’t until after Vaca caught wind of Heidbrick’s death in the same area that she realized what happened, according to police.

“She just turned five months on Sept. 19,” Walkanoff told WGN about the couple’s unborn child.

“My baby didn’t deserve to die that way,” he said.

Vaca reportedly turned herself in to Waukegan police on Tuesday after hearing the news. A witness allegedly identified her and the Land Rover she was driving on Sunday night when she collided with Heidbrick as she was crossing the southbound roadway of Grand Avenue, according to WGN. The witness confirmed that Vaca allegedly did not stop and continued driving.

Heidbrick leaves behind an 18-year-old son who reportedly just started college. Her sister said in a GoFundMe description that Heidbrick was “pronounced dead at the scene from the injuries she sustained.”

Heidbrick’s family told WGN that they are “absolutely heartbroken” by what happened and are awaiting the results of the investigation to see if additional charges will be filed.

Vaca was behind bars Wednesday awaiting her detention hearing.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Mystery at Sea: FBI Probes Disappearance of Two Lawyers from Abandoned Boat

The mystery surrounding the disappearance of two boaters off Florida’s coast has…

Adelaide Incident: Man Flees for Safety Following Neck Stabbing

A convenience store worker was captured running for his life on CCTV…

Mystery Deepens in Disappearance of 13-Year-Old Stefanie: Unraveling the Bizarre Inconsistencies

Nestled in the heart of the Maine wilderness, just shy of the…

Tragic Discovery: Missing Teen Found Dead in Ravine Following Kidnapping Confession

In a heart-wrenching conclusion to a search that began over the weekend,…

Ocala Resident Arrested for Allegedly Brandishing Firearm at Gainesville Store Clerk

By Staff Writer GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Renee Vivian Lunan, a 27-year-old resident…

Father Accused of Risky Mountain Hike with Kids Opposes Courtroom Cameras for Their Well-being

Inset: Micah Smith and his wife (GoFundMe). Background: The Broads Fork Trail…

Tragic Crime Unveiled: Man’s Deadly Rage Over Embarrassment Leads to Murder, Texts Friend for Alibi

Background: A section of West Washington Street in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania (Google Maps).…

Charges of Murder and Child Abuse Filed in Tragic Case Involving 7-Year-Old’s Death and 5-Year-Old’s Injuries

In a tragic series of events, a couple from California has been…

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Arrested for Allegedly Performing Surgery Under the Influence

Inset: Azul Shirazali Jaffer (Sugar Land Police Department). Background: The Houston-based office…

Landlord Arrested After Tenant’s Body Discovered in Barrel

An Oregon landlord faces murder charges following the discovery of his tenant’s…

Tragic End to Cross-Country Trip: Mother Arrested After Missing 9-Year-Old Daughter Found Dead

Left: Ashlee Buzzard, in brown. Right: Melodee Buzzard (Santa Barbara County Sheriff”s…

Tragic Ambush: Teen Recounts Heartbreaking Final Moments with Sister After Sudden Attack

Left inset: Jaleeyah Tune. Right inset: J’Sheeyah Tune (WTVD/YouTube). Background: The area…