Teen Killed in Chicago Lawn Hit-and-Run Crash

Damian Gomez's death marks second bicycle fatality of the year in the city.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:40pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered bicycle reflector or broken bike part, capturing the gritty aftermath of a tragic collision that took a young life.The aftermath of a fatal hit-and-run crash exposes the vulnerability of cyclists on Chicago's streets.Chicago Today

An 18-year-old identified as Damian Gomez was killed in a hit-and-run crash early Sunday morning in Chicago's Chicago Lawn neighborhood. The driver of a red Ford Explorer ran a red light and struck Gomez, who was riding a bicycle, before colliding with another vehicle. The SUV driver fled the scene on foot, and no arrests have been made.

Why it matters

Gomez's death is the second fatal bicycle crash in Chicago this year, marking a concerning trend despite the city seeing a decline in cyclist fatalities in recent years. Bicycling has grown significantly in the city, raising safety concerns for vulnerable road users.

The details

According to police, the crash happened around 1:20 a.m. when the driver of the red Ford Explorer, traveling at a high rate of speed, ran a red light in the 6300 block of South Kedzie Avenue and struck Gomez, who was riding a bicycle. The impact caused the Explorer to collide with a silver Honda Civic, which then landed on top of Gomez. The 18-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. A 22-year-old woman in the Explorer was critically injured, while the 60-year-old woman driving the Civic was treated at the scene.

  • The crash occurred around 1:20 a.m. on Sunday, April 6, 2026.
  • Damian Gomez, 18, was pronounced dead at the scene.
  • An autopsy on Monday was inconclusive, pending further studies.

The players

Damian Gomez

An 18-year-old who was killed in the hit-and-run crash while riding a bicycle.

Daisy Torres

Damian Gomez's aunt, who created a GoFundMe page to raise funds for his family.

Chicago Police Department

Investigating the hit-and-run crash and searching for the driver of the red Ford Explorer who fled the scene.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Damian was just 18 years old trying to figure out life and his future accomplishments. He was a good young man and very loved among all of us.”

— Daisy Torres, Damian Gomez's aunt

What’s next

Chicago police are continuing to investigate the hit-and-run crash and search for the driver of the red Ford Explorer who fled the scene.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the ongoing safety concerns for cyclists in Chicago, despite the city seeing a decline in bicycle fatalities in recent years. It underscores the need for increased awareness, infrastructure improvements, and enforcement to protect vulnerable road users as bicycling continues to grow in popularity.