A woman was left in critical condition after a vehicle struck her and fled the scene on the 3800 block of West Van Buren Street in Chicago’s Garfield Park neighborhood. Police responded to the incident just before midnight on August 20, 2026, and are now conducting a citywide search for the driver responsible for the hit‑and‑run.
The collision occurred at approximately 11:55 p.m., when the unidentified woman was hit by an unknown vehicle traveling eastbound on West Van Buren Street. After the impact, the driver did not stop to render aid or exchange information, and the vehicle accelerated away from the scene. Emergency responders arrived shortly after the report was filed and provided on‑scene medical care before transporting the victim to Mount Sinai Hospital, where she remains in critical condition.
Chicago police officers arrived within minutes of the call and began a preliminary investigation. Detectives have secured surveillance footage from nearby businesses and residential cameras in an effort to identify the make, model, and license plate of the fleeing vehicle. Officers are also canvassing the area for witnesses who may have observed the crash or the vehicle’s departure.
Garfield Park, a mixed‑use district with residential and commercial properties, has experienced a number of traffic incidents in recent months, prompting the department to increase patrols in the vicinity. While no further details about the suspect vehicle have been released, police have indicated that the investigation is ongoing and that they will follow all leads generated from the collected video evidence.
The victim’s condition continues to be monitored at Mount Sinai Hospital, where medical staff are working to stabilize her injuries. Police have not released additional information about her identity. The department will update the public as the investigation progresses, and officers remain focused on locating the driver responsible for the hit‑and‑run.