Chicago woman charged in West Lawn hit-and-run that critically injured teen

Maria Gonzalez, 37, faces felony charges after allegedly fleeing the scene of the crash

Feb. 26, 2026 at 6:23pm

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Chicago police have arrested 37-year-old Maria Gonzalez and charged her with a felony count of failure to report an accident causing injury after she allegedly struck a teenager on a motorized scooter with her 2019 GMC Arcadia and fled the scene in the West Lawn neighborhood. The 17-year-old victim was critically injured in the crash.

Why it matters

Hit-and-run crashes are an ongoing issue in Chicago, with the city seeing a rise in such incidents in recent years. This case highlights the need for drivers to remain at the scene and render aid when involved in a collision, as well as the serious consequences they can face for fleeing.

The details

According to police, the crash occurred around 7:41 a.m. on Wednesday, February 26th in the 3900-block of W. 68th Street. Gonzalez allegedly struck the 17-year-old victim, who was riding a motorized scooter, and then fled the scene. Authorities released images of the vehicle on Wednesday and announced Gonzalez's arrest on Thursday morning.

  • The crash happened around 7:41 a.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2026.
  • Gonzalez was arrested and charged on Thursday, February 27, 2026.

The players

Maria Gonzalez

A 37-year-old Chicago resident who has been charged with a felony count of failure to report an accident causing injury.

The 17-year-old victim

The teenager who was critically injured while riding a motorized scooter and struck by Gonzalez's vehicle.

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What’s next

Gonzalez's next court date has not yet been announced, but she is expected to face a judge in the coming days to answer to the felony charge.

The takeaway

This case serves as a sobering reminder of the serious consequences drivers can face for fleeing the scene of a crash, especially one that results in critical injuries. It also underscores the importance of drivers remaining at the scene, rendering aid, and cooperating with authorities.