Pregnant woman killed in Lawndale hit-and-run, baby survives

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A pregnant woman was killed in a hit-and-run in the North Lawndale neighborhood Christmas Eve night, but doctors were able to save her baby's life.

Karla Y. Leanos, 26, was crossing the street on foot in the 4200 block of West Ogden about 10 p.m. when she was struck. Leanos, of the 3000 block of South Keeler, was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 10:25 p.m. Doctors were able to deliver her baby and save his life.

Surveillance video shows Leanos as she steps off the curb. A white sedan, traveling at a very high rate of speed, slams into her and then keeps going. From the video, it's clear she saw the car coming but was unable to get out of the way. The impact was so violent it knocked her boots off.

"Gruesome, it was really gruesome," says Rick Page, who owns nearby Chi City Cycles. "And to see this lady lose her life, that is awful."

Page's surveillance cameras captured the entire incident. Witnesses rushed to help but Leanos was unresponsive.

Friends say Leanos was about seven months pregnant at the time of her death. As of last report, the newborn's condition is stable. Friends also said Leanos was married and has three other young children.

Though surveillance video shows the driver had a green light, the car is seen speeding away from the scene without even stopping. Police say they later arrested the 22-year-old driver of the car and that charges are pending. They have not said how they identified the driver.

The Sun Times Media Wire contributed to this report.