Mariyah Ford, a 20-year-old from Sauk Village, died tragically on Monday in a hit-and-run accident on Illinois Route 394 in Lynwood. Her family describes Ford as enthusiastic, deeply caring, and determined in her pursuit to become a phlebotomist.
During the weekend, Ford and her aunt, Tanisha Dennis, enjoyed each other’s company with joint hair and nail appointments in readiness for a class reunion event on Sunday. ‘She picked out my outfit the whole weekend,’ Tanisha recalled. The pair was driving home from a reunion after-party when their vehicle ran out of fuel. As they walked to a nearby gas station, Ford was struck by a vehicle. Tanisha remains haunted by the sound of the incident. ‘I keep hearing it,’ she shared.
Christina Dennis, Ford’s mother, hopes sharing her daughter’s story will assist the Illinois State Police investigation into the incident. ‘She was my first baby,’ Christina expressed. ‘She would stand behind me and fight the world if we needed to.’ The family created a collage of photographs in memory of Ford, who was pronounced dead by 3 a.m. after being taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center.
State police shut down the interstate for investigation, reopening it at about 4 a.m. The ongoing investigation aims to identify the suspect, with police withholding information to maintain the integrity of their efforts. The Cook County medical examiner’s office confirmed Ford died from multiple blunt force injuries resulting from the crash.
Ford’s birthday was on Sunday, and she and Tanisha had a series of celebratory events planned for August. They had commenced a ‘war of surprises,’ gifting each other with thoughtful gestures. Tickets for the Navy Pier ferris wheel this week have now turned into preparations for memorial services.
Ford’s outgoing demeanor, combined with her love for Disney princess movies and animals, highlighted her ‘little kid at heart’ nature. Despite this, she was steadfast in her ambition to become a phlebotomist, earning top grades at Thornridge and participating in a vocational program in Olympia Fields.
Tanisha had also planned for them to rent a boat to see the city skyline at night, a plan which cannot be fulfilled now. Ford wanted to hold a ‘colorful picnic’ where everyone coordinated in color-themed outfits and items. She had an impeccably organized display of makeup and skincare products, which remained untouched except by her brothers.
Her younger brother, Tommy Dennis, is trying to honor her legacy. ‘I try to clean more because I know I can’t do better than Mariyah,’ he said. ‘Her grades were exceptional, and she had big plans for the future, which were tragically cut short.’