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WAUKEGAN, Ill. (WLS) — The Waukegan Police Major Crash Unit is now investigating Sunday night’s deadly hit-and-run as relatives of the victim appeal for help finding the driver who left their pregnant loved one dying in the street.
For the family of 36-year-old Michelle Heidbrick, it still has not sunk in.
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“It doesn’t seem real. It’s been hard just trying to, you know, just process everything,” said Nicole Heidbrick, the victim’s sister.
Nicole is left devastated over the loss of her younger sister and best friend, who was excited about the life she was going to bring into the world.
“She had called me last week, and she was excited. She’s like, ‘Nicole, I heard the baby kick for the first time,'” Nicole said.
But it all came to a tragic end near the corner of Grand Avenue and Jackson Street in Waukegan around 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
A hit-and-run driver struck Michelle while she crossed the street on foot. The driver then sped away.
Michelle, who suffered critical injuries, was taken to Vista Medical Center East, where she was pronounced dead.
Doctors were unable to save the baby. Michelle’s pregnancy was at the 22-week mark.
“She had a doctor’s appointment in a week to find out the sex of the baby. We had to find out through autopsy that she was having a baby boy,” Nicole said. “So sweet, kind, wouldn’t hurt a fly. She’d give you the shirt off her back.”
Michelle also leaves behind a teenage son. Her family is asking for help finding the driver who left the scene.
“Somebody come forward because we need answers. Why? Why did you have to just keep going?” Nicole said.
The family says a witness told them that the driver stopped briefly after the impact before speeding off. The Lake County Coroner’s Office says Michelle died from blunt-force injuries.
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