Grieving Woman’s Vigilant Search Leads to Arrest in Hit-and-Run Death

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, June 25, 2026

Travis Kern of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, has been charged with felony hit-and-run and failure to report a fatal crash that killed a local woman in Winthrop Harbor in February. The arrest followed a grand jury indictment and community efforts led by the victim’s daughter, marking a critical step toward justice and closure for the grieving family.

Travis Kern, 35, of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, has been charged with felony counts related to a fatal hit-and-run incident that occurred on February 26 in Winthrop Harbor. Kern faces charges of failure to report a crash causing death and crash with death following the collision that took place on Sheridan Road around 11:10 p.m.

The victim, a local woman who was struck by a vehicle, was transported to Vista Medical Center where she was pronounced dead. She is survived by five children, including an 11-year-old daughter. According to her family, she was a loving and devoted Christian who enjoyed Bible study with her grandchildren.

After the incident, law enforcement issued a warrant for Kern’s arrest following a grand jury indictment in May. Kern is currently in custody in Lakewood, Colorado, awaiting extradition to Illinois. The investigation initially saw limited information released by police, prompting the victim’s daughter to take an active role in the search for justice. Utilizing social media, she shared appeals urging the community to aid in locating Kern, which authorities indicated likely contributed to his eventual apprehension.

The victim’s daughter expressed a sense of relief over the arrest, calling it an important milestone in the family's process of healing. Law enforcement officials acknowledged the profound emotional impact of the loss and commended the victim’s character.

At this time, Winthrop Harbor police have not provided further comments regarding the case or the ongoing investigation.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.