High School Senior Killed in Car Crash Hours After Prom (video)

A high school senior, Tom Mya Lyons, was killed in a car crash after her prom night

An 18-year-old high school senior, Tom Mya Lyons, was tragically killed in a car accident just hours after attending her senior prom. The fatal crash occurred at approximately 4:31 a.m. on Sunday morning as Lyons was riding in a vehicle that lost control and crashed on the Sibley Boulevard ramp leading to the inbound Bishop Ford Expressway in Illinois.

Authorities are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. The driver of the vehicle, a 16-year-old boy from Riverdale and Lyons’ boyfriend, survived the accident without injury. According to family members, he was reportedly cut off while trying to exit the expressway, causing him to lose control of the vehicle.

Tom'Mya Lyons on May 3, 2025

Lyons and her boyfriend had attended their prom at the Field Museum in Chicago just hours before the accident. The evening was meant to be a celebration ahead of her upcoming graduation, but it ended in heartbreak for her family, friends, and school community.

Lyons' stepfather, Charles Parker, expressed the profound grief her family is enduring. “It’s all surreal. I can’t believe that we sent her off and celebrated her, getting ready to graduate, and now we’re celebrating her leaving the Earth,” he said.

Friends and family of the victim said she had plans to go to cosmetology school

The last post Lyons made on Facebook was an invitation for loved ones to join her prom send-off. That post has since become a tribute wall, flooded with comments of sorrow and remembrance.

Lyons was remembered as a multi-talented, joyful young woman with big dreams. She had aspirations of becoming a DJ and had also planned to attend cosmetology school, hoping to blend her passions for music and beauty into a future career.

“She wanted to be a DJ. She loved music,” said Parker. “She was quiet, but at the same time, she was ambitious.” He added that she was already networking with professional DJs and had a clear vision for her future.

The car was damaged beyond recognition

Friends and classmates recalled Lyons’ energy and kindness. Jeda McClendon described her as “a happy and joyful girl to be around,” while Neveani Bell called her “a beautiful soul” and “an amazing stepper.” Lyons was also a committed member of her school’s step team and was admired for balancing academics with her extracurricular passions.

Principal Clinton Alexander of Homewood-Flossmoor High School praised Lyons in a heartfelt statement: “She was a vibrant member of our community, a loyal friend, a dedicated classmate, a committed teammate and a positive presence throughout Homewood-Flossmoor High School. Her energy, kindness and spirit touched the lives of many, and her absence will be deeply felt by us all.”

The investigation into the cause of the crash continues as loved ones prepare to honor and remember a life taken far too soon.