The Pilsen community is rallying for justice following a tragic hit-and-run incident that claimed the life of Marcela Herrera, a 22-year-old woman described as a vibrant soul by friends and family. Herrera was struck on July 19th while crossing the street with her fiancé, Mauricio Leyva, at the intersection of Ashland Avenue and Cullerton Street, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times. Leyva, 21, suffered serious injuries and was taken to Stroger Hospital along with Herrera, where she later died.
Gathering on Saturday, a group adorned with pink T-shirts featuring Herrera's photo and the phrase "Justice for Marcela," prayed and mobilized to canvas the neighborhood, distributing flyers. Seeking tips about the runaway driver, who was behind the wheel of a silver car and fled the scene without stopping, friends and family were disheartened by the lack of progress in the investigation. According to a Chicago Sun-Times interview, Diego Garcia, a friend of Herrera's, expressed disappointment upon discovering that police had not requested surveillance footage from local businesses nearly a week after the incident.
The driver responsible for the collision has not been apprehended, and the Chicago police's Major Accidents Unit is still in the process of investigating, as confirmed by NBC Chicago. Although a detailed description of the vehicle involved has yet to be provided, authorities are actively seeking any information that the public may have regarding the silver vehicle and its driver.
As a tribute to Herrera's passion for supporting youth, a scholarship is being established in her memory, with the assistance of Green Curtain Events. "Marcela wasn’t just a part of our team — she was family," Green Curtain Events remarked in a statement recounting Herrera's influence. The scholarship aims to support young individuals who face similar challenges as Herrera did, being an undocumented woman striving to make a difference in her community. "This was all so unexpected and today, we’re here to demand that the city does a better job at investigating Marcela’s case," Garcia told the Chicago Sun-Times, with the drizzle of rain falling over the gathered mourners.
To further assist the affected family, fundraisers have been established, amassing over $30,000 for Herrera and about $5,000 for Leyva. Despite the pain of their loss, the community's commitment to justice and remembrance of Herrera's spirited legacy endures, encapsulated in their efforts to honor her through various acts of advocacy and solidarity. Anyone with information related to the crash is urged to come forward and contact the Chicago police at (312) 745-4521 or submit anonymous tips through cpdtip.com or by texting "CPDTIP" to 738-477.
