Pilsen hit-and-run kills pregnant mom, 23

CHICAGO (WLS) -- There is a growing memorial in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood where a 23-year-old woman was killed in a hit-and-run crash over the weekend.

Mourners placed flowers and candles on the ground in the 2400-block of South Loomis Street.

Elizabeth Salinas, six months pregnant, was riding in the passenger seat of a Honda Civic heading north on Loomis around 12:05 a.m. Sunday, when police said a southbound Ford Mustang crashed into the Civic.

Police said the Mustang was speeding when it struck the Civic and hit two parked vehicles before it stopped.

Salinas, of the 4800-block of South Laflin Street, was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 12:50 a.m.

The stretch of Loomis where the crash took place is popular with street racers. Its location in a mostly industrial area with little traffic overnight makes it ideal for those who are into the scene.

Salinas and her boyfriend were just pulling up trying to find a place to watch the race.

"She was pregnant, and she didn't really want to go to the races because, like, everybody that goes to the races risks their lives," said brother David Salinas.

Why she changed her mind, no one knows. But Salinas lost her life Sunday morning, as she, her boyfriend and her 5-year-old son Adrian were pulling up to 24th and Loomis in Pilsen around midnight to watch the street races. A Mustang, there as part of the races, collided with them.

"They were just parking, and the Mustang was there. He was showing off his car. And he was driving crazy. He would go back and forth, and doing donuts," said Bianca Gongora, victim's sister-in-law.

Salinas was killed instantly, along with her unborn baby. Her boyfriend was seriously injured. Her son only suffered minor bruises.

"I see him sad. He knows what happened. He knows everything," said Denise Cortez, victim's ex-partner.

Police say the driver of the mustang got out of the car and ran away. Witnesses say he was picked up by a white truck without a license place. Many say they believe they know who he is.

"There's going to be justice for my sister-in-law because he took a life and he just ran. That's not fair," said Gongora.

Part of a group called the street bullies, Salinas enjoyed going to drag races. Drag racing is illegal in the city of Chicago. But that doesn't discourage those who like to participate.

"I'm going to contact the state to see if we could put a camera on, that could be on between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. That way we can catch people as they're doing this. But it's something that happens in the city especially if they can find long strips like that," said Alderman Danny Solis, 25th Ward.

Solis says the commanders of 9th and 12th police districts have been alerted, to provide the area with additional attention in the overnight hours.