Accomplice in Viral Dan Ryan Carjacking Sentenced to 6 Years

Starreese Vickers pleaded guilty to vehicular hijacking for her role in the brazen incident that was captured on video.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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A woman who helped a gunman carry out a carjacking on the Dan Ryan Expressway in Chicago, an incident that went viral after being captured on video, has been sentenced to six years in prison. Starreese Vickers, 23, pleaded guilty to vehicular hijacking in exchange for the sentence.

Why it matters

The Dan Ryan carjacking case gained nationwide attention due to the dramatic nature of the crime unfolding in the middle of a major expressway, as well as the viral video footage that documented the incident. It highlights the ongoing issue of carjackings in the Chicago area and the potential dangers to public safety when such crimes occur in high-traffic locations.

The details

In October 2022, Vickers allegedly assisted an armed man in carjacking a driver on the Dan Ryan Expressway. Video footage showed the gunman, wearing a ski mask and carrying what appeared to be a rifle, approaching passing vehicles and eventually forcing a 34-year-old man out of his red Dodge Journey. Vickers then allegedly jumped into the passenger seat as the hijacked vehicle sped away.

  • The incident occurred on October 14, 2022, shortly after 10 a.m.
  • Vickers was sentenced on March 9, 2026.
  • She is expected to be paroled in November.

The players

Starreese Vickers

A 23-year-old woman from Calumet City, Illinois, who pleaded guilty to vehicular hijacking for her role in the Dan Ryan Expressway carjacking.

Vahsean Davenport

The alleged gunman who carried out the carjacking on the Dan Ryan Expressway. He has been charged with the crime but remains at large.

Judge Paul Pavlus

The judge who sentenced Starreese Vickers to six years in prison for her role in the Dan Ryan Expressway carjacking.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Vahsean Davenport, the alleged gunman, out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing problem of carjackings in the Chicago area and the potential for such crimes to endanger public safety, even in high-traffic locations like major expressways. It also underscores the importance of effective law enforcement and judicial responses to address these issues.