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

Twisted Au Pair Affair: Jury Deliberations Intensify in Brendan Banfield Murder Trial Verdict Watch

In the heart of Northern Virginia, a jury remains deep in deliberation…

Brendan Banfield Found Guilty on All Charges in Intricate Scheme to Murder Wife and Pursue Relationship with Au Pair

In a gripping courtroom drama, a Virginia jury has reached a verdict,…

Shocking Paddleboarder Attack: Surfer Recounts Harrowing Underwater Assault During Beach Confrontation

Inset: Andrew Gustafson (San Luis Obispo District Attorney’s Office). Background: California’s Morro…

Massive $1 Million Reward Awaits as Search Intensifies in Dense Woodlands

More than 100 police are combing dense bushland in the Mount Buffalo…

Oklahoma Grandmother Found Guilty in Double Murder Case of Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley

An Oklahoma grandmother, Tifany Adams, received a severe sentence on Monday, facing…

Smartmatic Demands Daily Fines for Mike Lindell Over Unpaid Penalties on Baseless Election Claims

Mike Lindell, CEO Of MyPillow Speaks At CPAC On The Final Day…

Tragic Hit-and-Run Claims Life of New Bartender Biking Home in Fresh Start

Left: Thomas Riggio III (Orleans Parish Jail). Right: Michael Milam (GoFundMe). A…

Heartbreaking Revelation: Parents Caught Admitting to Starving Infant Daughter After Regaining Custody

Left to right: Brandon Copeland, Elizabeth R. Ucman, and Delilah Ucman (KNSD).…

Urgent Search Underway: Savannah Guthrie’s Mother Reported Missing, Home Declared Active Crime Scene

Missing Person Alert: Call 520-351-4900 with Information Concerns are mounting as Nancy…

Report: Timothy Busfield Accused of Sexual Harassment by Julia Roberts’ Sister-in-Law Prior to Child Misconduct Arrest

Actor Timothy Busfield is currently facing allegations of sexual misconduct involving a…

Former Boss Faces Scrutiny Over Overlooked Clue in 1994 Sydney Escort Disappearance Case

Revelle Balmain’s final shift as a sex worker was supposed to mark…

FBI Breakthrough: Suspect Allegedly Guides Authorities to Missing Teen’s Remains

Authorities have confirmed that a missing Indiana teenager was discovered deceased in…