Sarah Milcarek had just started her legal career after years of preparation, a degree from Illinois State University, a law degree from Mizzou, a new job fighting for workers’ rights at a Chicago employment firm, and a wedding just weeks away.

On Saturday night, a driver ended all of it in seconds.

Milcarek, 25, originally from New Lenox and most recently of Columbia, Missouri, was crossing the 1400 block of West Irving Park Road in Lakeview at approximately 9:22 p.m. when a male driver in a blue sedan struck her.

She was transported to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed her identity Sunday.

A Car Stopped. The Suspect Did Not.

Surveillance footage from the area told the story clearly. A car had stopped to allow Milcarek to cross. The suspect’s vehicle then came into frame at high speed, went around the stopped car, and hit her directly. She never had a chance.

After striking her, the driver sped from the scene. He struck a dark-colored SUV, triggering a chain collision with a black car. The driver of the SUV gave chase.

The pursuit ended in the 4000 block of North Ashland Avenue, where the suspect crashed into a tree, fled on foot, and ran into a nearby building. Chicago Police took him into custody. No charges have been publicly announced.

She Fought for Workers

Milcarek had spent years working toward her legal career.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management from Illinois State University before heading to the University of Missouri School of Law, where she graduated in May 2025 with a Juris Doctor degree and a Certificate in Dispute Resolution.

She had recently joined Workplace Law Partners as an Associate Attorney specializing in employment discrimination and severance negotiations.

Her firm described her as coming from a proud union family, which sparked her passion for helping workers achieve justice and equality in the workplace.

Before joining full-time, she had worked as a law clerk at the firm and as a Labor Law Legal Research Assistant during law school.

Weeks From Her Wedding

Friends and former classmates remembered a woman whose warmth was impossible to forget.

A fellow Mizzou Law student wrote that Milcarek had poured herself into student government and worked tirelessly to make the law school community stronger for everyone.

She was weeks from her wedding, the friend wrote, calling her loss truly heartbreaking for everyone who knew her.

Her godmother described her as a young woman who never met a stranger, whose energy lit up every room and whose hugs were impossible to forget. She said 25 years with her was simply not enough.

Chicago Crime Chaser extends its deepest condolences to the Milcarek family, her fiancé, her colleagues at Workplace Law Partners, and all who loved Sarah.

No Charges Confirmed

Chicago Police confirmed the driver was taken into custody. Chicago Crime Chaser will update this story when formal charges are announced.