Homewood-Flossmoor High School senior killed in Bishop Ford Freeway crash
A south suburban family and community was grieving Monday after a Homewood-Flossmoor High School student was killed in a Bishop Ford Freeway crash in Calumet City, Illinois, over the weekend.
The family of 18-year-old Tom' Mya Lyons had just sent her off to prom the day before. On Monday, Lyons' family and friends released blue balloons, representing the blue dress she wore to prom.
The family shared a picture of Lyons from the day of her prom. She was dressed in a sequined blue dress, and she was all smiles.
According to Illinois State Police, officers responded to a single-vehicle crash on the Sibley Boulevard ramp to the Bishop Ford (I-94) just after 4:30 a.m. Sunday.
Police said Lyons was in the passenger seat, and a 16-year-old boy was driving. He was not injured.
Homewood-Flossmoor High School said it is a very sad day for the school community.
"Today is a very sad day for the HF community as we grieve the loss of senior Tom Mya Lyons who died early this morning in a car crash.
We extend our deepest condolences to Tom Mya's family. Our hearts go out to them as they cope with this tragic loss. It is in difficult times like this that the HF family comes together to support each other. We are here for you."
Tom'Mya Lyons' stepfather, Charles Parker, said she was ambitious and was looking forward to graduating from high school in about a month. But her family were robbed of seeing her graduate when she died the day after her prom.
"It's all surreal," said Parker. "I can't believe that we sent her off, celebrating her and getting ready to graduate — and now we're celebrating leaving the earth."
A close friend said he has known Lyons since the sixth grade. He said Monday was senior ditch day and he was expecting to see her at Six Flags Great America, but soon found out the horrible news.
"It was tragic, because we're about to graduate in like a month," said Dylan Kenebrew, a classmate of Lyons'. "Our last day of school is May 15, so that's next week. So it just — it don't feel good. It don't feel good at all."
The school said a crisis team was available Monday, and will also be available for students.
Illinois State Police said the crash remained under investigation Monday.
