A 65-year-old woman from Lockport died Friday night after a hit-and-run driver struck her in Homer Glen.
The Will County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene on 159th Avenue just after 6:00 p.m.
Deputies arrived at the stretch of road located between Gougar and Cedar roads.
The incident began when a motorist heading eastbound hit a dog in the middle of the street.
That driver stopped immediately to check on the animal.
While inspecting the area, the driver discovered an injured woman lying in the roadway.
Evidence suggests a different vehicle hit the woman first and then fled the scene without stopping.
The driver who stayed and another passerby quickly tried to provide medical aid to the victim.
Emergency responders transported the woman to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox.
She later passed away from her injuries at the hospital.
The Will County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Louise M. Vieni.
Authorities confirmed the dog involved in the initial collision also died at the scene.
Police shut down 159th Avenue for several hours on Friday night to collect evidence.
The Will County Sheriff’s Office is currently leading the investigation into the fleeing driver.
No description of the suspect vehicle has been released to the public yet.
Recent History
Homer Glen and the surrounding Will County suburbs have seen a concerning rise in pedestrian-related incidents.
The intersection of 159th Avenue and Gougar Road is a high-traffic corridor for commuters traveling through the south suburbs.
Last year, nearby Lockport and Joliet reported several high-profile hit-and-run cases that sparked calls for increased street lighting.
Safety advocates often point to the high speeds on rural-adjacent roads like 159th as a major risk factor for pedestrians.
Residents in the area have previously expressed concerns about the lack of sidewalks on busy stretches near Cedar Road.
This latest tragedy adds to a growing list of unsolved hit-and-run investigations in the Will County area.
Authorities are hoping that local businesses or homeowners might have surveillance footage of the road from Friday night.
