**Waukegan Woman Faces Felony Charge in Fatal Hit-and-Run Crash**
WAUKEGAN, Ill. (WGN) — More than 48 hours after a tragic hit-and-run incident that claimed the life of a 36-year-old woman, her fiancé remains hopeful that police will find the individual responsible.
On Tuesday evening, Waukegan police confirmed that 49-year-old Rosalinda Vaca, of Waukegan, faces a felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident.
Charlie Walkanoff, fiancé of the victim, Michelle Heidbrick of Mundelein, was visibly emotional during an interview with WGN-TV. He recalled the harrowing moment when his pregnant fiancée was struck by a vehicle in Waukegan.
“All I heard was a smack,” Walkanoff said. “Next thing I knew, she’s rolling down the street. They hit my baby so hard. I was trying to yell to get people to call 911, and someone stopped, and they did.”
The incident occurred just before 9:35 p.m. on Sunday, September 21, near the intersection of Grand Avenue and Jackson Street. Waukegan police and firefighters responded to reports of a vehicle crash involving a pedestrian.
According to investigators, Heidbrick was crossing the street when an unknown vehicle struck her and fled the scene before officers arrived. She was transported to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after from blunt force trauma-related injuries.
Tragically, Walkanoff revealed that their unborn child also did not survive. “She just turned five months on Sept. 19,” he shared. Michelle Heidbrick is also survived by an 18-year-old son who recently started college.
It remains unclear whether surveillance footage captured the incident.
**Break in the Case**
The Waukegan Police Department’s Major Crash Unit continued its investigation and located a witness who was present during the crash. The witness confirmed that Heidbrick was crossing the southbound roadway of Grand Avenue when a vehicle struck her and then fled the scene.
Police later identified the suspect vehicle and its alleged driver, Rosalinda Vaca. According to authorities, Vaca was driving a black 2016 Land Rover SUV at the time and admitted to striking something in the roadway but did not realize what it was until she learned about the fatal accident.
Upon that realization, Vaca turned herself in to police. The suspect’s vehicle was subsequently located, and Vaca remains jailed pending her initial court hearing.
The police update followed public outreach by Walkanoff, who had earlier pleaded for witnesses to come forward.
“If anybody saw anything, please, please say something because my baby didn’t deserve to die that way,” he said.
**Family and Community Response**
Michelle Heidbrick’s parents expressed their deep sorrow to WGN-TV, stating they loved their daughter dearly and are “absolutely heartbroken” by the loss.
A GoFundMe campaign created to help cover funeral expenses has raised over $3,000 to support the family during this difficult time.
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If you have any information related to this case, please contact the Waukegan Police Department.
https://wgntv.com/waukegan/my-baby-didnt-deserve-to-die-that-way-fiance-of-pregnant-waukegan-hit-and-run-victim-seeks-justice/
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