Illinois State Police Arrests Hazel Crest Woman for Reckless Homicide after Fatal Holiday Weekend Crash on the Dan Ryan Leaves Infant Dead
September 9, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2026
HARVEY – Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 1 Special Agents arrested 33-year-old Latasha M. Hope of Hazel Crest, IL, following a deadly crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway this Labor Day Weekend.
On September 6, 2026, at approximately 5:46 p.m., ISP Troopers responded to a crash on I-57 northbound near 147th Street in Harvey. A red Ford SUV driven by Latasha Hope drove off the roadway and struck a light pole. Hope, an adult female passenger, four toddlers, and one infant were all transported to an area hospital with varying levels of injury. The infant was later pronounced deceased. None of the children in the vehicle were restrained in a child safety seat.
On September 8, 2026, ISP presented the case to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, which approved the charges of Reckless Homicide (Class 3 Felony), Aggravated Driving Under the Influence Involving Death (Class 2 Felony) and Child Endangerment Resulting in Death (Class 3 Felony). Hope was released from the hospital and taken into custody pending her first court appearance. There is no further information.
The charges are not evidence against the defendant, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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