Services are Thursday and Friday for Wilmette 23-year-old killed in traffic collision

A 23-year-old Wilmette woman was killed by an alleged intoxicated driver on Friday near the Illinois-Indiana border, according to Indiana officials.

Sarah Herd, a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin in Madison, was struck around 4:45 p.m. Dec. 29 while receiving help after her car crashed into the concrete median on Interstate 90, according to a release from Indiana State Police. Police said Herd was crossing the interstate to speak with a good Samaritan who stopped to assist her when a truck abruptly swerved across the expressway and hit Herd and the Samaritan’s car.

The Lake County, Indiana coroner’s office confirmed Herd died from injuries sustained in the collision.

The driver of the truck was arrested and is facing multiple criminal charges related to Herd’s death, including operating a vehicle while intoxicated, the release says.

No other individuals were seriously hurt in the crash.

Herd was a 2019 graduate of New Trier High School, where she played hockey and lacrosse. She studied medicine at the University of Wisconsin and graduated with honors according to her obituary.

While at the university, she was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, which posted a tribute to Herd on Instagram.

“Sarah was a bright, caring, and driven member of our chapter … who we love and care for deeply. She always was and always will be in our hearts. Rest in peace, Sarah,” the post reads.

Following graduation, Herd became a patient care technician at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and hoped to attend medical school and become a pediatrician, her obit says.

“Sarah was the most beautiful daughter to her parents and a loving big sister and first friend to her brother Owen,” according to the obit.

A visitation service is scheduled from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 4, at Donnellan Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Blvd., and a celebration of her life begins at 10 a.m Friday, Jan. 5, at Congregation Sukkat Shalom, 1001 Central Ave., in Wilmette.

According to the obituary, Herd’s family encourages guests to wear clothing that reminds them of Sarah Herd, including New Trier apparel, University of Wisconsin hoodies, Chicago sports team jerseys and bright colors, “especially orange — her favorite color.”

Donations can be made in Herd’s name to United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Dane County, 2801 Coho St. Suite 100, Madison, Wisconsin; or Lincoln Park Zoo, 75 Remittance Drive, Dpt. 92085, Chicago, IL 60675. (Under tribute information on attached form, include Sarah Herd as honoree name and in memory of as “gift type.”)

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