Chicago, Illinois: A South Shore family is facing unimaginable heartbreak after a 15-year-old girl was killed in a hit-and-run crash while riding an electric scooter Saturday evening. As detectives continue their search for the driver responsible, her father is left mourning a life he says was full of promise, light, and love.
Violet Harris, a freshman at a Hyde Park high school, had been enjoying a pleasant evening outdoors when tragedy struck. Police said she and a friend were riding separate electric scooters in the street near East 77th Street and South Exchange Avenue when a driver struck them. A black sport utility vehicle reportedly ran over Violet before fleeing the scene. Her friend was also injured in the crash.
For her father, Ogie Davis, the pain is compounded by the suddenness of it all. He said he never got the chance to hold his daughter one last time or see her at the hospital. The weight of that loss is something he struggles to process.
“I didn’t get to say goodbye,” he said through tears. “I didn’t get to see her. That’s something I’ll carry with me forever.”
Davis described Violet as nearly the “perfect child,” someone who brought joy into every room she entered. He said she had a bright smile and an even brighter future. To her younger siblings, she was more than just a sister — she was a protector, a role model, and a constant source of encouragement.
“She lit up everything and everybody she touched,” he said. “I could never stay mad around her. She had that kind of spirit.”
Eight-year-old Jerriyah, Violet’s younger sister, is already feeling the deep absence left behind. The loss has shaken the entire household, leaving siblings and relatives trying to understand how someone so young could be taken so suddenly.
According to police, the vehicle involved may have damage to its front passenger side. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby cameras in hopes of identifying the driver. Investigators believe the area’s residential and business security systems could provide crucial leads.
While Davis acknowledges that accidents can happen, what he cannot comprehend is why the driver failed to stop.
“If you hit someone, you stop. You help. You call for help,” he said. “To just leave her there… I can’t understand that.”
The unanswered questions haunt him. Though he knows an arrest will not bring Violet back, he believes accountability is essential for closure.
“You took a great one,” he said. “I just want to know why. What were you doing? Why did you leave?”
As the family navigates their grief, they are also facing unexpected financial burdens, including funeral expenses. Loved ones have organized support efforts to help ease some of that strain during this painful time.
Community members in South Shore have expressed sorrow and outrage over the incident, renewing conversations about traffic safety, scooter regulations, and accountability for reckless driving. Many neighbors say the stretch of roadway where the crash occurred has long been a concern.
Davis remains hopeful that the person responsible will be identified.
“I know they’re going to get caught,” he said firmly. “You can’t just do something like this and think you’ll get away with it.”
For now, the family is holding on to memories — of laughter, of kindness, and of a young girl whose life ended far too soon on what should have been just another beautiful evening.
