A Hazel Crest woman is facing multiple felony charges for a crash that killed an infant on Sunday evening.
33-year-old Latasha Hope was driving an SUV northbound on I-57 near 147th Street in Harvey.
There were four toddlers and the infant in her vehicle, along with another adult.
None of the children was restrained, according to state police.
The vehicle left the road and hit a light pole and then rolled over.
All seven occupants were hospitalized with various injuries.
The baby, 6-months-old, identified as Dakari Lomax, of Chicago, later died.
Hope is charged with reckless homicide, aggravated driving under the influence involving death, and child endangerment resulting in death.
All are felonies.
Press release:
HARVEY – Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 1 Special Agents arrested 33-year-old Latasha M. Hope of Hazel Crest, IL, following a deadly crash on I-57 this Labor Day Weekend.
On September 6, 2026, at approximately 5:46 p.m., ISP Troopers responded to a crash on I-57 northbound near 147th Street in Harvey. A red Ford SUV driven by Latasha Hope drove off the roadway and struck a light pole. Hope, an adult female passenger, four toddlers, and one infant were all transported to an area hospital with varying levels of injury. The infant was later pronounced deceased. None of the children in the vehicle were restrained in a child safety seat.
On September 8, 2026, ISP presented the case to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, which approved the charges of Reckless Homicide (Class 3 Felony), Aggravated Driving Under the Influence Involving Death (Class 2 Felony) and Child Endangerment Resulting in Death (Class 3 Felony). Hope was released from the hospital and taken into custody pending her first court appearance. There is no further information.
Latasha M. Hope (F/33) The charges are not evidence against the defendant, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.###
