Search Continues for Semi Driver That Struck, Killed Lombard Mom

JASPER COUNTY, IN — Authorities are continuing to search for a semi driver accused of striking and killing a 30-year-old Lombard woman after she stepped outside her SUV on an Indiana interstate to check on a noise coming from her vehicle.

An investigation is ongoing into the Oct. 10 crash that claimed the life of Nika L. Trippi, Ann Wojas, a public information officer for the Indiana State Police, told Patch in an e-mail Tuesday afternoon. As of Tuesday afternoon, police have no one in custody in connection with the crash and have “received no viable tips,” Wojas said.

Trippi’s SUV was pulled well off of Interstate 65 in Jasper County, Indiana, when she stepped out of her vehicle at 10:45 a.m. on Oct. 10. A southbound semi struck the local woman while her two minor children and her mother were inside the SUV. Neither the children nor Trippi’s mother were injured.

Trippi, an esthetician who formerly worked at Zazu Salon and Day Spa in Hinsdale, was pronounced dead at the scene of massive blunt-force trauma.

• Lombard Mother of 2 Killed in Hit-and-Run on Indiana Interstate

The semi never stopped, and authorities have been searching for the driver ever since. A witness described the the semi as an older model gray Freightliner, which was pulling an enclosed box trailer that was also gray, according to police.

The collision happened near the Fair Oaks exit at mile marker 219.7. Fair Oaks is located about 40 miles south of Gary, Indiana.

Anyone with information concerning the crash or who has info about the semi should call Indiana State Police at 219-696-6242.

Trippi’s funeral was held on Friday. Trippi worked at ZaZu in Hinsdale up until she had her second daughter in 2014, a current ZaZu employee told Patch. She had a YouTube channel where she posted makeup tutorials.

Her main focus in life was on her two children, Zazu salon owner Anthony Segretto told ABC 7.

"She lived for her children," Segretto said. "That was really her true passion, her two girls."

The family-owned salon started an online fundraising page. As of Tuesday afternoon, more than $13,000 had been raised. The fundraiser is meant to bring in money for the future expenses of Trippi's daughters, Lena and Francesca.

Another online fundraiser on the GoFundMe site has brought in more than $4,600 in the past week.

Photo credit: YouTube