According to a report from NBC 5 Chicago, a high school senior was killed in a tragic post-prom crash. The victim—a senior at Homewood Flossmoor High School—was the passenger in a single vehicle accident that happened on the Bishop Ford Freeway. The heartbreaking crash is still under investigation by the Illinois State Police (ISP). Here, our Chicago motor vehicle accident attorney explains what we know about this terrible crash and highlights the dangers that teen drivers face.
Deadly Late-Night Crash After High School Prom in Illinois
On the early morning of May 4th, 2025, a devastating car crash happened on the Bishop Ford Freeway. Sadly, it claimed the life of 18-year-old Tom’Mya Lyons—a well respected and very promising senior at Homewood-Flossmoor High School. It was just hours earlier that Tom’Mya had celebrated her senior prom at Chicago’s Field Museum. The accident occurred around 4:30 a.m. on the Sibley Boulevard ramp. She was a passenger in a vehicle driven by her 16-year-old boyfriend.
Authorities still do not know exactly what happened. However, a preliminary report suggests that the car that the couple was driving in may have been cut off by another vehicle, leading to the tragic crash. The loss has deeply affected the Homewood-Flossmoor community. School officials have extended heartfelt condolences to her family and are providing grief counseling to students. A balloon release in her honor saw classmates donning blue, commemorating the dress she wore on her final night. The Illinois State Police are still investigating the fatal crash.
Teenage Drivers are at the Highest Risk of Serious Accidents
Motor vehicle collisions are consistently a leading cause of serious accidental injuries, particularly for teenagers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) explains that teens are disproportionately likely to be involved in a bad crash. Here are two key data points:
- Although teenagers represent only 3.7 percent of licensed drivers nationwide, they are involved in nine percent of all car crashes and seven of fatal crashes.
- The fatal crash rate for teen drivers is nearly three times higher per mile driven compared to drivers who are aged 20 and older.
Of course, that certainly does not mean that a teen driver is automatically at fault for a crash. While they sometimes face stereotypes from police officers and insurance companies that are not entirely without justification, every crash must be investigated on a case-by-case basis.
Tips for Parents to Help Ensure Safety for Teen Drivers in Chicago
For parents, there are very few things in life that are more frightening than heading the car keys to a teenager. As the data shows, there are good reasons for parents to worry. The reality is that teen drivers do crash at a higher rate than more experienced motorists. At the same time, there is good news: It does not have to be that way. There are strategies that parents can use to help ensure that their young driver in Chicago is as safe as possible. Here are four actionable tips:
- Parents Should Set Clear Driving Rules and Expectations: You set the rules for your vehicle. Establishing clear, reasonable, and safe household driving rules can make the difference. Parents should set firm expectations around curfews, seatbelt use, phone restrictions, and passenger limits. Notably, in Illinois, teen drivers face graduated license restrictions—such as nighttime driving curfews and passenger limitations. Reinforcing these with clear parental guidelines helps teens build safe habits. Parents should discuss real risks of things like distracted driving and the consequences of breaking the rules.
- Parents Should Make Sure that Teens Get Practice: Lack of experience by itself is a big reason why teens crash. Supervised driving time builds critical experience. Illinois requires 50 hours of practice for teen drivers, including 10 hours at night, but going beyond the minimum is ideal. For example, parents may want to drive together regularly in different traffic, weather, and neighborhood conditions. They should use each session as a learning opportunity.
- Parents Should Always Model Safe: Teens learn from watching their parents. The research shows that the teenagers who engage in the risky driving behaviors have parents who do the same. If you speed, use your phone while driving, or express road rage, your teen may adopt those same behaviors. Parents should consistently model what safe, attentive driving looks like. You may even want to narrate your choices when appropriate—such as slowing in poor weather or anticipating pedestrians when they may not be entirely obvious.
- Parents Can Use Technology to Monitor and Support Safe Driving: Technology is one of the leading accident risks (texting and driving). At the same time, it can enhance teen driver safety. In Chicago, many of the biggest insurance providers and vehicle manufacturers offer apps or devices that monitor speed, hard braking, and phone use. Some even allow geofencing and curfew alerts. While trust is key, using tools like these can provide data-driven insights and open constructive conversations. It could make the difference for teen driver safety in Chicago.
How Our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
Teenage drivers face serious risks on the road. Unfortunately, crashes can happen for a wide range of different reasons. At Kennedy Watkins LLC, our Chicago attorneys are compassionate, dedicated advocates for people and families. With a proven history of verdicts and settlements in complex cases, we are dedicated to fighting for justice. Your initial consultation with our Chicago car accident attorney is free, confidential, and carries zero additional obligations.
Contact Our Chicago Auto Accident Lawyer Today
At Kennedy Watkins LLC, our Chicago car accident attorneys are strong advocates for safe roads. We are committed to fighting for justice for victims and families. If your teen was involved in a crash, please do not hesitate to call us now or get in touch with us online to arrange your free, no obligation initial case review. From our Chicago law office, we fight for justice for car crash victims throughout the wider region in Northern Illinois.