ILLINOIS — A 15-year-old Rockford girl is recovering from serious injuries after she was struck by a car in a hit-and-run incident while riding her bike. The crash, caught on security footage, occurred at North Second Street and Ethel Avenue on Friday, June 20.
Alice Hunt, a student and volleyball athlete, said the moment remains vivid: “I could just see this car coming towards me, and I didn’t have enough time to react — it just hit me.”
Caught on Camera: Car Runs Red Light, Hits Teen Biker
Surveillance footage provided by Sinnissippi Motors shows a blue vehicle running a red light and striking Hunt as she rode her bicycle through the intersection. Hunt was thrown into the air before landing on nearby grass.
As reported by WTVO News, she suffered a fractured tibia, required stitches in her right arm, and is expected to undergo extensive physical therapy.
“It was very hard riding in the back of the ambulance,” Hunt said. “So many thoughts were racing through my mind. I’m just glad to be alive, because if I was a second later, I could be dead.”
Mother Calls for Safety Improvements
Hunt’s mother, Emma Hunt, expressed concern over the condition of the intersection where the crash happened.
“We need to do something to stop this, you know — the reckless driving,” she said. “I would like to see some changes, especially on this crosswalk to make it safer.”
Police are still searching for the driver involved in the hit-and-run. The car did not stop after striking Hunt, and investigators are urging the public to come forward with any leads.
Athletic Dreams Derailed by Crash
Beyond her physical injuries, Hunt is also grappling with the emotional toll. The Boylan High School student was set to compete in a national volleyball tournament in Florida this weekend — a trip she’ll now have to miss.
“My whole team was depending on me,” Hunt said. “Seven months of club practice almost every day — it’s just gone down the drain.”
She added that the incident left her so shaken she doesn’t want to ride a bike again.
Teen Urges Drivers to Pay Attention
Despite the trauma, Hunt is using her experience to raise awareness.
“There are people out there that don’t want to listen to the rules,” she said. “I think it’s important for people to know that accidents like this — it’s not your fault.”
The Rockford Police Department continues to investigate the hit-and-run. Anyone with information about the driver or vehicle involved is asked to contact Rockford Police or local Crimestoppers.
Have you witnessed reckless driving in Rockford? Share your thoughts or neighborhood concerns at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
