Effingham, Illinois Hit-and-Run Involving Mia Hayden Identified — October 23, 2025

In Effingham, Illinois, authorities have identified the suspect connected to a late-night hit-and-run that left 26-year-old Mia Hayden of Altamont hospitalized. The incident occurred on September 28, 2025, at approximately 11:19 p.m. near the intersection of Holiday Drive and North Maple Street. According to the Illinois State Police, Hayden was operating an electric scooter when she was struck by a golf cart whose driver fled the scene. She was initially transported to a local hospital before being airlifted to Carle Hospital for further treatment.

Following an investigation, 39-year-old Dustin Brown of Effingham was named as the suspect. Formal charges were filed on October 17, including two felony counts for failure to report a crash involving injury or death, among others. Brown was issued a notice to appear rather than being taken into custody. His first court appearance is scheduled for November 26, where he has already entered a plea of not guilty and requested a speedy jury trial.