Richards Mourns Loss Of Freshman Student Struck By Car

CHICAGO RIDGE, IL -- Richards High School is mourning the loss freshman student Amira Nairat. The 15-year-old girl was on her way to school Monday morning when she was struck and killed by a car which police said had been involved in several hit-and-run accidents leading up to the fatal accident. The driver, said to be a 25-year-old Oak Lawn man, is currently being held in police custody.

“Amira was a quiet but kind student. She was so dedicated to her studies and the happiness of her classmates. While she was just a freshman, her teachers spent the entire day reflecting on her achievements and the value she added to our school,” Richards Principal Mike Jacobson said on the high school’s Facebook page. “The entire Bulldog community will feel this loss deeply.”

Dist. 218 Superintendent Dr. Ty Harting also issued a statement, saying that grief counselors were made available to students and staff Monday at Richards High School. The counselors will continue to be made available in the days ahead.

“This morning we received devastating news that one of our students, freshman Amira Nairat, was tragically struck and killed by a car right outside of the high school. As a community, we are deeply saddened by Amira’s passing and we are struggling to find meaning in this senseless death,” the D218 superintendent said. “We want to offer our condolences and deepest sympathy to Amira’s family, her friends, and her classmates. May she rest in peace.”

The accident happened at 7:46 a.m. Monday in the 10700 block of South Central Avenue, across the street from the high school. After receiving information from Oak Lawn police of a 2007 Volkswagen Bug that was wanted for several hit-and-run crashes, Chicago Ridge police began monitoring the area for the vehicle, according to a police news release.

Moments before the accident, Oak Lawn police responded to a hit-and-run accident at 7:36 a.m. at 95th Street and Central Avenue. Oak Lawn police said the offending vehicle, described as a Volkswagen Bug, struck another vehicle from behind pushing it into the car ahead of it. The driver fled, continuing southbound on Central Avenue where it crossed into oncoming traffic and sideswiped another northbound vehicle at 97th Street, police said.

Chicago Ridge police were monitoring the area for the vehicle when a Chicago Ridge officer spotted the Volkswagen passing him in the southbound lane of Central Avenue at 7:46 a.m. The officer was stuck in traffic in the northbound lane and made a U-turn, positoning the patrol car in the southbound curb lane behind the driver. Police said the Chicago Ridge police officer watched the Volkswagen strike the 15-year-old student as she was crossing Central Avenue at 107th Street on her way to school.

Police said the driver continued driving. The officer stopped to aid the gravely injured girl. Another Chicago Ridge officer spotted the Volkswagen several blocks away and stopped the vehicle. The driver, a 25-year-old Oak Lawn man, was taken into custody. His name is being held pending charges.

The girl suffered severe injuries to the upper body. She was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center where she later died of her injuries.

The Illinois State Police Accident Reconstruction Team is assisting Chicago Ridge police in the investigation.

This story is developing. Check back later for updates.

~ Photo via Chicago Ridge Police Facebook