Family wants driver to come forward after mother killed in hit-and-run near Riverside Park

INDIANAPOLIS — A teenager is left motherless after a hit-and-run killed a woman on the city's northside.

Dominique Berryhill, 32, known as "Domi," was hanging out with friends Sunday night near Riverside Park.

"Any problem you had, she'd come and pick you up," said Berryhill's cousin, Charmika Dillard. "She was a ball of joy."

Outgoing, funny, and a fun person to be around, according to family, Berryhill leaves behind a 13-year-old daughter and a large extended family. Dillard said there was never a dull moment with her cousin. Before the hit-and-run, the mother was working and taking care of her parents.

"It's like a piece is missing from everybody," Dillard said. "There's so many memories with her that I can't just say one thing. We're just so hurt because she has a daughter, and her daughter is so precious."

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Indianapolis Metropolitan Police responded to a report of a personal injury crash in the 2800 block of Riverside Drive East across the street from Riverside Park just after 8:15 p.m. Aug. 18. There, they found Berryhill dead in the street.

Police determined a person was driving in the area at a high rate of speed before the crash and believe that driver lost control of their vehicle before striking Berryhill while she was standing outside a car talking to one of her friends. Police documents show two cars and two other people were involved in the crash.

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Dillard said Sunday, her daughter came to show her video from a live on social media of the crash aftermath. Phone calls from other family members confirmed that something could be wrong, so Dillard drove to the location where they saw Berryhill in the street.

"It made it real," Dillard said. "The car that hit her was still there."

The driver of the car ran away and no arrests have been announced as of Friday morning.

The latest in hit-and-run crashes

There have been 20 fatal hit-and-run crashes so far this year, according to Indianapolis Metropolitan Police.

In 2023, there were 16 for the entire year.

In 2022, there were 21 fatal hit-and-runs.

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Police told media outlets that driver that hit Berryhill fled on foot after the crash and they are looking for the suspect.

"We're angry. There's a lot of emotion, but we can't act out of anger," Dillard said. "We just want justice. We're asking for the person who did this to come forward. That's all. Do the right thing. You left a young lady dead in the middle of the street. She was so loving. The highlight of everybody's life. No enemies at all. Please come forward."

A balloon release in honor of Berryhill will be Saturday, Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. at the scene of the crash at 28th and Riverside.

Family said the public is welcome to attend.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police is asking anyone with information on the driver who hit Berryhill to come forward and speak with detectives. You can anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS.

Jade Jackson is a Public Safety Reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formally Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Family wants driver to come forward after mother killed in hit-and-run near Riverside Park