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Chicago, IL (July 28, 2026) – A woman was killed, and a man was injured on Sunday night, July 26, after they got out of an SUV on I-57 and were struck by passing vehicles that fled the scene, the police said. It happened around 8:51 p.m. in the northbound lanes near Halsted Street on Chicago’s South Side.
The woman had stepped out onto the shoulder when she was struck by a vehicle that did not stop, the police said. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The man, also an occupant of the SUV, got out to help her and was then struck by another vehicle. He was taken to a hospital with injuries.
Officials have not released a description of either vehicle involved, and the search for the drivers continues.
Our condolences go out to the woman’s family and loved ones, and we hope for a full recovery for the man who was hurt.
Why Are Highway Shoulders So Dangerous for Pedestrians?
Pulling over onto a highway shoulder is one of the most dangerous places a person can be, even briefly. Vehicles on a highway shoulder are just a few feet from lanes where traffic is moving at 60 or 70 miles per hour, leaving almost no room for error if a passing driver drifts even slightly to the right.
Nighttime makes shoulder stops especially risky. Reflective triangles, hazard lights, and reflective clothing can help, but a person standing outside a vehicle in the dark is still much harder to spot than the vehicle itself. Drivers approaching from behind may not register a person on the shoulder until they are dangerously close.
Safety experts generally recommend staying inside a vehicle with a seatbelt on whenever possible during a roadside stop, rather than standing outside near moving traffic. If getting out is unavoidable, moving as far from the travel lanes as possible and remaining alert to approaching vehicles can reduce the risk of being struck.
