Marcela Herrera, 22, killed, fiancé injured in hit-and-run crash at Ashland, Cullerton on Southwest Side: Chicago police, family
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CHICAGO (WLS) — A young woman was killed and the man she was engaged to was seriously injured after being struck by a hit-and-run driver Saturday night on the city’s Southwest Side.

Marcela Herrera and her fiancé were set to get married next month. Now her family is faced with planning her funeral while police try to track down the person responsible for her death.

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The crash happened near the intersection of South Ashland Avenue and West Cullerton Street. Two pedestrians were walking along Ashland Avenue when they were struck by a silver vehicle that fled the scene after the crash, Chicago police said.

A 22-year-old woman was taken to a hospital, where she was later pronounced dead, police said. She was identified as Marcela Herrera by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. A 21-year-old man was taken to a hospital in serious condition, CPD said.

I’m asking for help. Just maybe pretend that this is something that your family is going through. Behind these tragedies are real people with real stories, real pain.

Montse Parrera, Marcela Herrera’s cousin

“This just goes to show things can change from one day to the next.” Herrera’s Cousin Montse Parrera said.

Herrera had the world ahead of her before her family said a hit-and-run driver took it all away in a matter of seconds.

“This is a person who still had a lot of life to live who this didn’t need to happen,” Parrera said.

Herrera’s family said she had just finished working at the Tacos Y Tamales Festival in Pilsen. Her fiancé had just picked her up and they were walking to get dinner near Ashland and Cullerton when they were struck by a vehicle.

“This is 100% preventable if they were responsible,” Parrera said.

SEE ALSO | 69-year-old woman killed in South Loop hit-and-run crash on way to church; driver charged with DUI

Herrera, one of six siblings, lived her life for her family.

“Her siblings were her drive to be more and do more in her life,” Parrera said. “She was kind, outgoing, funny, full of life, charismatic, hardworking.”

On Sunday, her family revisited the last place she was alive, canvassing the area and asking anyone in the neighborhood for any information or video that could help them find her killer.

“I’m asking for help. Just maybe pretend that this is something that your family is going through,” Parrera said. “Behind these tragedies are real people with real stories, real pain.”

The family has asked anyone with information that could help them to come forward.

No arrests have been made as Chicago police’s Major Accidents Investigation Unit continues to investigate.

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