HFHS Senior Killed In Crash After Prom Was Passenger In Car: State Police

CALUMET CITY, IL — A Homewood-Flossmoor High School senior killed in a crash just hours after the school's prom was not driving at the time, Illinois State Police said Monday.

Illinois State Police were called at 4:30 a.m. Sunday to the single-vehicle crash on the Bishop Ford, at the Sibley Boulevard ramp to I-94 northbound in Calumet City.

A passenger—identified as Tom’Mya Lyons, 18—was taken to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead, state police said. The driver was taken to an area hospital with injuries. State police did not provide the driver's age or sex, or any additional details on the circumstances of the crash.

Lyons had attended the school's "A Night of Enchanted Elegance" prom at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago Saturday, school officials confirmed. The event ended at midnight.

Homewood-Flossmoor District 233 Superintendent Dr. Scott Wakeley and HFHS Principal Dr. Clinton Alexander shared news of her death with the school community Sunday.

"With permission from Tom’Mya's mother, we are sharing this news with the HF family to assure you are aware of this tragic loss as well as the support available for students and staff," the notice reads.

"Each of us will react to Tom’Mya's death in our own way, and we need to be respectful of each other. Feeling sad is a normal response to any loss. Some of us may not have known her very well and may not be as affected, while others may experience a great deal of sadness. Her death may also bring about feelings in those who have lost loved ones. These feelings of sadness, confusion, even possibly anger may come in waves now and moving forward."

The community responded to the news Sunday evening, taking to social media to share shock and comfort.

"This is terrible news," one commenter wrote. "A parent's worst nightmare. My condolences to the family and friends and the teachers of the students."

"I am heartbroken for the family of this young woman," another wrote. "I was at the HF prom last night. It's difficult to imagine that a night filled with so much joy and happiness could end in such a tragedy for one family and an entire community, really."

Crisis Team members will be available to students. Support will be available in all students' classes Monday and Tuesday, officials said.

Students in need of assistance are encouraged to contact school social workers Jocelyn Cowan at jcowan@hf233.org or Dani Van Vliet at dvanvliet@hf233.org. School counselor Rockeya Wilson can also be reached at rwilson@hf233.org.

“We extend our deepest condolences to Tom’Mya's family,” Wakeley and Alexander wrote. “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’s name was previously misspelled by district administration. It has been corrected.