Anakin Perez, 9—A Life Stolen in a School Zone

The death of Anakin Perez, 9, is a devastating tragedy that has shaken the entire Austin neighborhood of Chicago. Anakin, a joyful, friendly, and athletic fourth-grader, was simply trying to cross the street to his school, McNair Elementary, when his life was brutally and prematurely ended. He was struck by a driver who then heartlessly dragged the little boy 72 feet before fleeing the scene. The loss of Anakin is not just the end of a young life full of promise; it is a painful, glaring symbol of the unchecked danger that exists on our city streets, even in areas meant to be the safest.

The Unthinkable Betrayal: Injustice After Horror

The horror of the incident—a child being struck and dragged by a vehicle—was immediately compounded by an unbearable injustice. Despite the driver’s decision to flee the scene (a felony under state law) and her alleged history of reckless driving, including a pending DUI case, she was released without criminal charges, receiving only a minor citation. This decision incensed the community and fueled the desperate cry for justice from Anakin’s mother, Alejandra Gallegos, who publicly questioned the driver’s conscience. The community is demanding that this senseless act be treated as the serious, life-ending felony it was.

The Legacy of a Little Warrior

Anakin, whose name evokes a sense of strength, was remembered by his classmates and neighbors as an “old soul” who loved football and had a big, outgoing personality. His life, though brief, was full of light and activity. We honor the memory of Anakin Perez not just by mourning his loss, but by turning this grief into action. His death must serve as the turning point for Chicago to implement stronger enforcement and physical changes—like increased crossing guards and street design improvements—to ensure that no other family has to face this agonizing outcome in a school zone.

Action on Initial Charges

Regarding the specific action sought by the community:

• Attorney General’s Office: As of the latest reports, there is no specific action mentioned being taken by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office regarding the initial lack of charges.

• Cook County State’s Attorney Office: The family and community advocates are actively directing their demands for justice to the Cook County State’s Attorney Office (the local prosecuting body) to reevaluate the case and file severe criminal charges, including felony charges for the hit-and-run and potential murder charges. The case remains under investigation by the Chicago Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Unit.