Woman Critically Injured in Hit-and-Run near Concert Venue

MATTESON, IL — A 26-year-old woman was critically injured Friday night when she was struck by a car while on foot on Vollmer Road in Matteson.

The woman was aboard a "party bus" that was stopped in heavy eastbound traffic along the roadway around 7:45 p.m. Several occupants had stepped off the bus to urinate in a field, shortly before traffic started moving again, police said in a release. Before the bus moved, the victim exited, and was struck by a vehicle traveling in the same direction.

The driver of the vehicle that struck the woman initially stopped, but then fled the scene. An off-duty paramedic in a vehicle close enough to the accident scene performed CPR on the victim. Matteson Paramedics then transported the victim to Christ Hospital for treatment. She was reportedly out of surgery at 5 a.m., and is listed in critical condition.

Friends have identified her as Angela Celmer, of Channahon. She was en route to the Blink 182 concert at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre.

The remaining occupants of the party bus were interviewed and shuttled to Matteson PD to wait for a ride. An officer remained with them at all times due to their mental trauma.

Information about the vehicle involved is limited at this time. The driver is described as a black male, 20-40 years old, driving an older model maroon Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo.

Vollmer Road from Harlem Avenue to Ridgeland Avenue was shut down from the time of the accident until approximately 11 p.m. The SMART Team was activated for the accident reconstruction and worked directly with the Criminal Investigations Division to process the scene.

Anyone with information regarding the striking vehicle should contact the Matteson Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at (708)748-5931.