Chicago Woman Pleads Guilty to Fatal Hit-and-Run on Lake Shore Drive
A Chicago woman, Bahiyyah Bost, has pleaded guilty to a hit-and-run crash that resulted in the death of a construction worker on Lake Shore Drive near Belmont Harbor nearly three years ago.
Bost, aged 51, entered a guilty plea on Friday to one count of failing to report a fatal accident. Judge Michael Clancy sentenced her to eight years in prison, with credit for 540 days already served while on an ankle monitor during the case proceedings. With the state’s standard 50% sentence reduction, she is expected to be released in approximately 30 months.
The incident occurred on April 21, 2023, when Kenneth Hernandez, a 45-year-old construction worker, was killed in a hit-and-run while working in a marked construction zone in the northbound lanes near Belmont Avenue. It took investigators 16 months to gather evidence against Bost in connection with the crash.
Hernandez was struck by Bost’s 2004 Volvo as he stood next to the street sweeper he was operating in the construction zone. Despite the area being well-marked and brightly lit, Bost failed to stop after hitting Hernandez, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Federal investigators confirmed that the construction zone had proper traffic control measures in place.
Video evidence compiled by CPD investigators showed Bost’s movements before and after the crash. Prior to the collision, she was seen swerving across the center line of Fullerton Avenue before entering Lake Shore Drive. Following the crash, she was involved in another hit-and-run at North Clarendon Avenue and ran a red light at Sheridan and Pratt, narrowly missing pedestrians in a crosswalk.
After her arrest, prosecutors worked to establish Bost’s involvement in the fatal crash. The Major Accident Investigations Unit spent over a year gathering evidence to link her to the incident. Despite initial hearings and requests for detention, Bost was allowed to return home with an ankle monitor, earning credit towards her eventual prison sentence.
The tragic hit-and-run on Lake Shore Drive serves as a reminder of the consequences of reckless driving and the importance of reporting accidents promptly to authorities. Bahiyyah Bost’s guilty plea and subsequent sentencing highlight the need for accountability in such cases to ensure justice for the victims and their families.
