Man Charged in Fatal Hit-and-Run Crash Near UIC Campus
A tragic incident unfolded near the University of Illinois Chicago campus, where a 29-year-old man, Hamid Popal, is facing charges for a fatal hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of his passenger, Lilia Perez. Prosecutors revealed that Popal crashed into a median at 80 mph and fled the scene, leaving Perez trapped in the wreckage for 30 minutes before she was discovered and later pronounced dead.
The court ordered Popal to be detained on a charge of leaving the scene of a fatal accident, highlighting the severity of the incident. Popal and Perez were reportedly in a brief dating relationship at the time of the crash, with Perez having recently celebrated her 24th birthday.
According to authorities, Popal rented a 2016 Lincoln MKZ and drove to a club on West Lake Street in the early morning hours of September 7, where he was later seen with Perez. Surveillance footage captured the pair leaving the club together and getting into the Lincoln, with Popal behind the wheel and Perez in the front passenger seat.
The crash occurred on West Congress Parkway, where Popal was allegedly speeding at 80 mph in a 5 mph zone when he collided head-on with a median near a UIC parking structure. After the impact, Popal was observed removing a liquor bottle from the vehicle and searching the front passenger area while Perez was critically injured.
Despite another driver stopping to check on them, Popal reassured them with a thumbs-up gesture before fleeing the scene on foot. Perez remained in the vehicle, gravely injured and unattended, until a UIC security guard discovered the wreckage and called for help.
Prosecutors disclosed that Popal had a history of traffic violations, including previous DUI charges and multiple crashes causing property damage and personal injury. Judge Deidre Dyer deemed Popal a danger to the public and ordered his detention as the case progresses.
The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of reckless driving and the importance of accountability on the road. The community mourns the loss of Lilia Perez and seeks justice for her untimely passing.
