Family of teen killed in Dolton hit-and-run seeks justice

Lania Smith, 18, was struck and killed while walking to work, police search for red Corvette driver

Apr. 4, 2026 at 12:23am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered car side mirror reflecting the faint glow of red taillights, conceptually representing the aftermath of a tragic hit-and-run incident.The shattered remnants of a hit-and-run collision serve as a somber reminder of the urgent need for justice and accountability.Chicago Today

The family of 18-year-old Lania Smith is pleading for justice after the Hyde Park Academy student was struck and killed in a hit-and-run while walking to work last week. Smith was hit around 5:30 p.m. on March 30 near Sibley Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, and the driver fled the scene. Police are searching for a red 2007 Chevrolet Corvette with a black top and its driver.

Why it matters

Hit-and-run incidents have become an increasing concern in the Chicago area, with two Hyde Park Academy students killed in separate hit-and-run incidents in the past two weeks. The Smith family's plea for justice highlights the devastating impact these crimes have on local communities.

The details

Lania Smith, an 18-year-old student at Hyde Park Academy, was walking to work on March 30 when she was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver near Sibley Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Dolton. Police are searching for a red 2007 Chevrolet Corvette with a black top and Illinois license plate FR 56003, as well as the driver who fled the scene.

  • Lania Smith was struck and killed around 5:30 p.m. on March 30, 2026.
  • This incident occurred two weeks after another Hyde Park Academy student was killed in a separate hit-and-run.

The players

Lania Smith

An 18-year-old student at Hyde Park Academy who was killed in a hit-and-run incident while walking to work.

Shaliah Maddox

Lania Smith's aunt, who is pleading for justice and awareness after her niece's death.

Dolton Police

The local law enforcement agency investigating the hit-and-run incident and searching for the driver of the red Chevrolet Corvette.

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What they’re saying

“They broke a big bond in our family. It's hard.”

— Shaliah Maddox, Lania Smith's aunt

“She was beautiful inside and out, loving, energetic, kind.”

— Shaliah Maddox, Lania Smith's aunt

“I need justice for Lania. The person who did this needs to be caught.”

— Shaliah Maddox, Lania Smith's aunt

What’s next

Dolton police continue to investigate the hit-and-run incident and search for the driver of the red Chevrolet Corvette. The Smith family has set up a GoFundMe to help cover Lania's funeral costs.

The takeaway

This tragic hit-and-run incident highlights the urgent need for improved road safety measures and stronger accountability for drivers who flee the scene of a collision. The Smith family's plea for justice underscores the devastating impact these crimes have on local communities.