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Community members are mourning the death of 21-year-old Chicago woman as police search for the driver who killed the aspiring artist in a hit-and-run in the Bridgeport neighborhood just before midnight Friday.
Police say Carissa Hintz was killed instantly after a driver allegedly blew a stop sign and plowed the young woman down as she crossed the street near Co-Prosperity Sphere arts center in the 3200 block of South Morgan, according to Fox Chicago.
Hintz, a recent American Academy of Art graduate, was volunteering at an event for the arts center and was reportedly crossing the street to empty the trash when she was hit. ABC Chicago reports the impact sent Hintz airborne over one parked car and through the rear window of another car where she landed in the back seat.
The driver of the car that struck Hintz never stopped.
Witness Carrie Clark says the sound was sickening to hear, telling CBS Chicago, “I can’t describe that sound it’s disgusting." Clark said the driver must have been going at least 60 miles per hour when it struck Hinz. “It’s horrible. And at the speed that car was moving? She wouldn’t have had a chance."
Leslie Warquie, who worked with Hinz at the Bridgeport Coffee Company, called the young woman "an amazing friend." Customer Daniel Pugh said Hinz was "a wonderful person," adding "the community will find out who [the driver] is and take proper actions and make sure the police are informed," NBC reports.
"It is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of Carissa Hinz. While she was volunteering at a nearby community event Friday night, she was killed by a hit and run driver.
Our deepest heartfelt sympathies go out to her family and friends. She was an artistic soul with a generous heart, and was beloved by neighbors, customers and her co-workers.
Carissa had been a barista at Bridgeport Coffee for over a year. There are no words that can convey how her family and friends feel, but we want them to know that we were graced by her presence and we will always remember her with affection and love."
Chicago police are still searching for the driver involved in this hit and run crash. According to the Tribune, witnesses said the vehicle may have been a dark-colored Honda Accord sedan. Anyone with information should call police at 312-745-4521.