The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed the identity of one of the victims tragically killed in a devastating incident that occurred Friday evening near the Indian Hill Country Club in suburban Winnetka.
Thirty-seven-year-old Sediqeh Samadi was one of two women fatally struck by a vehicle while walking near the intersection of Church Road and Meadow Road. The heartbreaking crash took place just after 6 p.m., as Samadi and another woman, who has not yet been publicly identified, were walking with a stroller.
Witnesses reported that the group appeared to be out for a quiet evening walk in the otherwise serene neighborhood, a common sight in this peaceful suburban community. In an instant, that peaceful scene was shattered when a vehicle struck all three individuals.
Emergency responders arrived swiftly at the scene, but the damage had already been done. One of the women was pronounced dead on the scene. The second, later identified as Samadi, was rushed to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The infant in the stroller was also transported to the hospital and remains in critical condition, fighting for life. The identities and current conditions of the driver and passenger in the vehicle, who were also hospitalized with injuries, have not been released.
Sediqeh Samadi’s death has sent waves of grief through her community. Described by those who knew her as a kind-hearted, devoted, and thoughtful woman, Samadi’s sudden and tragic death leaves behind not only loved ones in mourning but a wider community grappling with the senselessness of the loss.
Friends and neighbors recall her as a caring presence—someone who was often seen offering a helping hand or kind word. Many have taken to social media and community forums to express their condolences and share memories of her warmth, strength, and gentle spirit.
The full circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation by local authorities. Police have not released further details about what led to the collision, and it is not yet known whether impairment, speed, or mechanical failure played a role. Traffic was shut down for several hours in the area as investigators collected evidence and documented the scene.
This tragic incident has reignited concerns among Winnetka residents about pedestrian safety, especially near busy intersections or roads with limited lighting and walkways.
Community members are calling on local officials to reassess traffic control measures in the area and to implement more protective infrastructure to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
For now, the focus remains on mourning the victims and supporting the families affected. The loss of Sediqeh Samadi, in particular, has underscored just how fragile life can be.
She was a woman whose life, full of promise and purpose, was cut short in an instant. The surviving infant’s condition remains closely watched by doctors and loved ones alike, with hopes that the child will recover from this traumatic ordeal.
As details continue to emerge, this tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictability of life and the need for greater safety measures on suburban roadways. A memorial is being planned to honor the lives of Samadi and the second victim, and a community vigil is expected to take place in the coming days.
Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families and friends affected by this unimaginable loss. Sediqeh Samadi will be remembered for the light she brought to others, a light that will continue to shine in the memories of all who knew her.
