Chicago Hairdresser Dies After Hit-and-Run; Advocates Call for Safer Streets

A tragic hit-and-run incident in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighbourhood has led to the death of Lisa Barber, a 45-year-old hairdresser. Barber was struck by a motorist on May 11 and succumbed to her injuries on May 24. The driver involved is still at large, and authorities are seeking public assistance to identify the offender and the vehicle.

The incident underscores a persistent issue of traffic violence and hit-and-run incidents in Chicago, with advocates and community members renewing calls for improved pedestrian safety infrastructure and enforcement.

Fatal Collision and Investigation

On the evening of Monday, May 11, around 7:56 p.m., Lisa Barber was walking north across Franklin Boulevard near Albany Avenue. According to a preliminary statement from the Chicago Police Department, she was hit by an eastbound motorist driving a maroon car. The driver fled the scene without stopping to render aid.

Barber sustained critical head injuries in the collision and was transported to Mt. Sinai Hospital. After nearly two weeks, she passed away on Sunday, May 24, at Accent Care at Macneal in Berwyn. As of the report’s publication, no one has been taken into custody.

The Chicago Police Department has released a community bulletin featuring images of a 2013-2018 maroon Ford Fusion, believed to be the vehicle involved. The car may exhibit damage to its front and hood. The Major Accidents Investigation Unit is investigating the case and has provided a hotline for tips at 312-745-4521, along with an anonymous tip submission option via CPDTIP.com, referencing RD # JK251084.

Community Reaction and Advocacy

Humboldt Park residents have expressed concerns about reckless driving on Franklin Boulevard. Angel Rodriguez, a local resident, told ABC Chicago that drivers often exceed speed limits and disregard pedestrians. “Motorists don’t stop,” he stated. “Pedestrians try to walk across the street, but there’s no help to help them across.”

Friends of Lisa Barber have described her as a vibrant and cherished member of their community. Katie, a friend and book club member, shared with ABC that the group is “in shock over how suddenly this happened, how abruptly Lisa could be here one minute, so full of life, so hilarious, and making plans for the future.” The book club is reportedly exploring ways to channel their grief and anger into advocacy for pedestrian safety in the area where the hit-and-run occurred.

Barber was a well-regarded hairdresser at Sine Qua Non Salons in Ukrainian Village. Her salon owner, Laura Boton, told the Sun-Times that Barber was a “bright light and a beautiful person” who made clients feel at ease. Another friend, Tara Lattanzi, remembered her as someone who “listened and knew she cared” and with whom people “could be ourselves.”

Broader Patterns of Traffic Violence

The death of Lisa Barber is part of a concerning trend of pedestrian and cyclist fatalities in Chicago in 2026. Streetsblog Chicago’s “Fatality Tracker” for the year lists 13 pedestrian deaths and 5 bicyclist or e-scooter deaths on surface streets as of the report’s publication.

The provided data details numerous other incidents, including several other hit-and-run fatalities and collisions involving vulnerable road users. These include:
* A woman, 32, fatally struck in a hit-and-run in South Chicago on March 11.
* A 65-year-old woman killed in a hit-and-run crosswalk incident in Belmont Cragin on April 19.
* A 36-year-old man fatally struck by a hit-and-run sedan driver in Auburn Gresham on May 14.
* A 15-year-old girl killed on an e-scooter in a hit-and-run in South Shore on March 21.
* An 18-year-old on a bicycle fatally struck by a speeding, hit-and-run SUV driver in Chicago Lawn on April 5.

These statistics highlight a systemic problem of road danger, particularly for those not protected by a vehicle. The frequency of hit-and-run incidents further exacerbates the trauma and lack of accountability associated with these collisions.

Street Infrastructure and Safety Concerns

The comments from Humboldt Park residents about drivers travelling fast and recklessly on Franklin Boulevard point to potential issues with street design and traffic calming measures. Urban planning and transportation safety often involve a multi-faceted approach, including:

• Street Design: Analyzing road widths, intersection configurations, and the presence of protected pedestrian walkways.
• Traffic Calming: Implementing measures such as speed humps, chicanes, narrowed lanes, and raised crosswalks to reduce vehicle speeds.
• Enforcement: Increased police presence and ticketing for speeding and other traffic violations.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating drivers and pedestrians about road safety.
• Protected Infrastructure: Development of segregated bike lanes and wider, more visible sidewalks.

The article notes that pedestrians in the area struggle to cross streets safely, indicating a potential lack of adequate safe crossing points or insufficient driver yielding. The advocacy efforts planned by Barber’s friends aim to address these deficiencies and push for tangible improvements in street safety.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of traffic violence and the urgent need for cities like London and Chicago to prioritize the safety of all road users, especially the most vulnerable.

Key facts
| Aspect | Detail |
| :————————– | :————————————————————————- |
| Incident Date | May 11, 2026 |
| Victim | Lisa Barber, 45, hairdresser |
| Location | Franklin Boulevard near Albany Avenue, Humboldt Park, Chicago |
| Circumstances | Struck by a hit-and-run driver in a maroon car while crossing the street |
| Outcome | Died from injuries on May 24, 2026; driver remains at large |
| Advocacy Focus | Increased pedestrian safety measures and traffic calming in Humboldt Park |

Source: Streetsblog Chicago https://chi.streetsblog.org/2026/06/08/after-hit-and-run-driver-struck-and-critically-injured-widely-loved-hairdresser-lisa-barber-on-may-11-she-died-from-her-injuries-on-may-24-driver-is-still-at-large

Key facts