Michelle Heidbrick Killed in Waukegan Hit-and-Run Crash – September 21, 2025

In Waukegan, Illinois on September 21, 2025, 36-year-old Michelle Heidbrick was struck and killed in a fatal hit-and-run incident while crossing near Grand Avenue and Jackson Street around 9:30 p.m. According to police, Heidbrick—who was 22 weeks pregnant—was transported to Vista Medical Center East, where she was pronounced dead. She leaves behind a teenage son.

The suspect, identified as 49-year-old Rosalinda Vaca of Waukegan, has been charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident. Vaca later informed authorities she believed she had struck an unknown object and only realized the nature of the crash after learning of the incident through news reports. The SUV involved has been seized for investigative purposes. The case remains under active investigation by local authorities.