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A HIGH schooler was tragically killed in a car crash on the night of her senior prom.
The driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle, but police are still investigating the fatal incident.
The victim, Tom Mya Lyons, 18, was riding in a vehicle after her senior prom when it collided in a deadly car accident.
At approximately 4:31 a.m. on Sunday, the car crashed on the Sibley Boulevard ramp onto the inbound Bishop Ford Expressway, as reported by NBC affiliate WMAQ-TV.
Her stepfather, Charles Parker, said it doesn’t feel real that his stepdaughter won’t be returning home after what was supposed to be a magical night.
“It’s all surreal. I can’t believe that we sent her off and celebrating her, getting ready to graduate and now we’re celebrating her leaving the Earth,” Parker said.
“It’s a hard pill to swallow right now.”
The victim’s final post on Facebook was an invitation to loved ones to join her for a prom night send-off.
Now, the post has been flooded by dozens of comments from family and friends who are mourning the loss of the young woman.
The driver was Lyons’ boyfriend, a 16-year-old Riverdale resident who was miraculously unharmed during the accident.
“He was cut off trying to get off expressway and lost control. I don’t have full details,” Parker told WMAQ-TV.
The pair had attended their prom at Field Museum in Chicago hours before the crash, according to the authorities.
“I remember when her and her mom were getting everything together – I’m a man, so I don’t know much about that type of stuff – but the planning process and everything that they were doing to get prepared for the prom and picking out the colors, the way the dress was designed, I believe everything was Tom Mya’s idea,” Parker told WMAQ-TV.
Those who were close to the victim remembered her as someone who loved music and was looking to get into the music industry.
“She wanted to be a DJ. She loved music,” Parker said.
“She was quiet, but at the same time, she was ambitious. Just to see how she was interacting with that and some of my friends who are DJs, it’s hard. I can’t believe it.”
It’s all surreal. I can’t believe that we sent her off and celebrating her, getting ready to graduate and now we’re celebrating her leaving the Earth.
Charles Parker
Lyons also had plans to attend cosmetology school, finding a way to combine her interest in beauty and music as an entrepreneur.
Friends of Lyons said they saw her as someone who had picked up many different talents or skills — balancing her education while being an active member of her step team.
“Dance step, DJ, always had a smile on her face,” said Jeda McClendon, a school friend.
“Never complaining, just a happy and joyful girl to be around.”
“She was such a beautiful soul. She was an amazing stepper. So kind to everybody,” said friend Neveani Bell.
“She told me how much she was proud of me all the time.”
Principal Clinton Alexander said Lyons was more than just a student.
“She was a vibrant member of our community, a loyal friend, a dedicated classmate, a committed teammate and a positive presence throughout Homewood-Flossmoor High School,” he said in a statement.
“Her energy, kindness and spirit touched the lives of many, and her absence will be deeply felt by us all.”
