Community raises nearly $8,000 for 9-year-old killed in Oak Park hit-and-run
Community members have raised nearly $8,000 for the family of a 9-year-old girl tragically killed in an Oak Park hit-and-run on Thursday night.
Avianna Hill, 9, was riding a mini-motorcycle with her father when a vehicle struck them near 36th Street and 19th Avenue in Oak Park just after 8 p.m. Thursday. The pair were transported to the hospital, where Hill died about an hour later. Her father, Preston, was transferred to the ICU and was expected to survive, officials said.
Family friends and community members shaken by the 9-year-old’s death organized a GoFundMe on Sunday to cover the family’s funeral and medical expenses. They had raised $7,960 as of Tuesday morning.
“No family should have to face a loss like this,” Cenobia Marie Gonzalez wrote on the GoFundMe page. “Any donation, no matter the amount, can help ease the burden and allow them to focus on healing and honoring Avianna’s life.”
All donations will go to Hill’s mother, Bianca Carranza, Gonzalez added.
Family and friends also gathered Monday evening at McClatchy Park to remember Hill. At the vigil, attendees released pink, purple and white balloons in her honor. The 9-year-old had finished her last day of school Thursday, Denise Carranza, Hill’s grandmother, told reporters.
“She will never be able to go back to school,” Carranza said.
Hill’s mother, Bianca Carranza, described her daughter as an “angel” to reporters at the vigil.
“She liked sports. She liked Roblox. She liked playing outside. She just liked to love,” Bianca Carranza said.
This story was originally published June 16, 2026 at 9:08 AM.
