Pilsen Marchers Pack Streets Demanding Justice In Deadly Hit-And-Run
Hundreds of people marched through Pilsen on Sunday, April 19, pressing Chicago police for answers in the unsolved hit-and-run that killed 22-year-old Marcela Herrera last July. The crowd moved from Harrison Park to the Chicago Police Department's 12th District station, then finished with a moment of silence at the intersection where Herrera was struck.
Family And Neighbors Press Police For Action
Outside the 12th District station, Herrera's mother challenged officers and city leaders, asking, "How is it possible that this much time has passed, and we have no answers?" Marchers carried photos of Herrera and chanted for justice as they wound through the neighborhood, according to the Chicago Tribune.
The Crash, In Short
Herrera was struck while crossing Ashland Avenue at Cullerton Street on July 19, 2025, and her fiancé, 21-year-old Mauricio Leyva, was seriously injured in the same crash. As reported by ABC7 Chicago, the couple had just left a Pilsen street festival when the driver took off.
Evidence And Investigation
Investigators say surveillance footage appears to show a dark-colored Dodge Journey leaving the area after the crash, but Chicago police have not made any arrests. The family's attorney, Roberto Mario Martínez, told the crowd that public pressure helped push the case into a criminal investigation, and 12th District council chair Leonardo Quintero urged neighbors to keep the case in the public eye, according to the Chicago Tribune.
What The Law Says
Under Illinois law (see 625 ILCS 5/11-401), drivers involved in crashes that cause injury or death must stop at the scene and report information to police; failing to do so can lead to felony charges and other penalties. For an overview of the statute and its requirements, readers can refer to the Illinois code as compiled by legal reference sites.
How To Help Investigators
Police and family members are asking anyone with information about the crash to contact investigators. The Chicago Police Department provides contact details for the 12th District on its official website, and local reporting has highlighted online tip portals and text-tip services that community members can use if they prefer to remain anonymous.
Why Neighbors Are Pushing For Change
Organizers cast the march as part of a broader push for faster communication from authorities and safer streets in a part of the city that has seen multiple pedestrian crashes in recent years. Local traffic-safety coverage and neighborhood reporting note that this collision is one of several that have amplified long-standing worries about speeding and crosswalk safety along Ashland in Pilsen.
