Dozens attend dance-filled vigil for young dancer killed in crash

Friends, teachers, and family gather to remember Boaz Flemister, 17, who died in a fatal car accident on the Bishop Ford Freeway.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Nearly 100 people attended a vigil at Warren School in Chicago's Calumet Heights neighborhood to remember 17-year-old Boaz Flemister, who was killed in a car crash on the Bishop Ford Freeway. The vigil featured choreographed dancing, a DJ, and posters where people could write loving messages. Flemister's mother, Angela Hongo, addressed the crowd, saying 'That was my son, my blood. He came from me and we come from greatness.' Flemister was one of two people killed in the single-vehicle crash, with three others injured. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Why it matters

The vigil highlighted the tragic loss of a young, talented dancer within the South Side community. Flemister was described as a quiet but stylish person who had a passion for dance. His death has deeply impacted his family, friends, and the local dance community he was a part of.

The details

The vigil at Warren School, where Flemister graduated, saw the release of star-shaped balloons in his favorite colors after Whitney Houston's 'I Will Always Love You' played. There was choreographed dancing, a DJ, and posters where people could write loving messages. Flemister's mother, Angela Hongo, addressed the crowd, saying 'That was my son, my blood. He came from me and we come from greatness.' Flemister was one of two people killed in the single-vehicle crash on the Bishop Ford Freeway around 1:15 a.m. on Thursday, with three others injured. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

  • The vigil took place days after Flemister's death in the fatal crash on February 17, 2026.
  • The crash occurred around 1:15 a.m. on Thursday, February 17, 2026.

The players

Boaz Flemister

A 17-year-old dancer who was killed in the car crash on the Bishop Ford Freeway.

Angela Hongo

Boaz Flemister's mother, who addressed the crowd at the vigil.

Lazarus Gonzalez

A 25-year-old dance choreographer and up-and-coming rapper who was also killed in the crash.

Moira Bonadonna

Boaz Flemister's 11th-grade English teacher at Art In Motion, a creative arts school.

Jocelyn Winston

A faculty member at Art in Motion who met Flemister on the day he died.

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What they’re saying

“That was my son, my blood. He came from me and we come from greatness.”

— Angela Hongo, Boaz Flemister's mother (Chicago Tribune)

“The first one that comes to mind is sassy, for sure. He always had his shining sweatshirts on. He always made a splash and yet he never wanted to speak in class.”

— Moira Bonadonna, Boaz Flemister's 11th-grade English teacher (Chicago Tribune)

“It was like an aura around him.”

— Jocelyn Winston, Faculty member at Art in Motion (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

The investigation into the cause of the crash is still ongoing, and authorities have not provided any updates as of Saturday.

The takeaway

The vigil highlighted the profound impact Boaz Flemister had on his community, with friends, teachers, and family members coming together to remember his quiet but vibrant spirit and passion for dance. His tragic death has left a void, but the outpouring of support shows the lasting impression he made on those around him.