Channahon woman, 26, critically injured in hit-and-run in Matteson

MATTESON, Ill. (WLS) -- A 26-year-old Channahon woman, who got off a party bus headed to a concert in the south suburbs, was critically injured Friday night in a hit-and-run crash in Matteson, police said.

The woman -- identified by friends as Angela Celmer -- was on a rented party bus with 25-30 people headed to concert venue in Tinley Park. The bus stopped in heavy traffic near Ridgeland Avenue and Vollmer Road as the driver allowed some of the occupants to get out and urinate in a field.

After traffic began moving again, the driver called everyone to get back on board. Before the bus began moving again, Celmer got off the bus and was struck by a vehicle in the next lane at about 7:45 p.m.

An off-duty paramedic in a nearby vehicle performed CPR on Celmer. Matteson paramedics transported her to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where she had surgery and was in critical condition on Saturday.

"She's still in a coma, still unconscious at the moment but just hoping for the best," friend Kristi Lawrence said Saturday afternoon. "She's being taken off sedation. Slight movement in arms and legs, so all the love and support and prayers are really helping. They're really helping."

Celmer, who works as a special education teacher, was with friends going to a Blink 182 concert.

The driver of the vehicle, a man between 20-40 years old, initially stopped but then fled the scene, police said. He was driving an older model maroon Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, police said. The vehicle was described as "boxy."

"They did have a second to think about and then they did made the wrong decision and drove off. For that, we're very, very angry," Lawrence said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Matteson Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at 708-748-5931.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Celmer pay for her medical expenses.