It is with deep sorrow that we report the untimely passing of 17-year-old Tom’Mya Lyons, a beloved senior at Homewood-Flossmoor High School. Tom’Mya tragically lost her life in a single-vehicle crash early on Sunday morning, April 14, 2025, on the Bishop Ford Freeway in Homewood, Illinois. The incident, which occurred around 4:31 a.m. on the Sibley Boulevard ramp to northbound I-94, has left her family, friends, and the entire school community in shock and mourning.
The Illinois State Police have confirmed that the crash resulted in one individual being ejected from the vehicle, who was later transported to a nearby hospital. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of medical staff, she was pronounced dead shortly thereafter. That individual has since been identified by school officials as Tom’Mya Lyons. This tragedy came just hours after the highly anticipated senior prom, an event where many students expected to celebrate the culmination of their high school journey with their peers. What was meant to be a night of joy has now turned into a time of profound grief and sorrow for all who knew her.
Tom’Mya was remembered by classmates and teachers as a kind, vibrant, and promising young woman. She was full of potential, a beacon of light in her community, with a bright future ahead of her. Her involvement in school activities, her infectious smile, and the genuine care she showed for those around her made her beloved among her peers. She had the ability to brighten any room with her presence, leaving lasting impressions on everyone she encountered. Tom’Mya’s tragic passing has not only devastated her family but has also sent a shockwave through the entire Homewood-Flossmoor High School community.
In response to this heart-wrenching tragedy, Homewood-Flossmoor High School officials have come together to offer their condolences and support for Tom’Mya’s family and the students coping with the loss. Superintendent Dr. Scott Wakely and Principal Dr. Clinton Alexander issued a joint statement, sharing their grief and support:
“We extend our deepest condolences to Tom’Mya’s family. Our hearts go out to them as they cope with this tragic loss. It is in difficult times like these that the HF family comes together to support each other. We are here for you.”
In addition to the school’s support, community leaders have also shared heartfelt tributes to Tom’Mya. Calumet City Alderwoman Dr. Monet S. Wilson posted a heartfelt message on social media, expressing her condolences and prayers for the family. She wrote:
“Sending prayers and condolences to the family of this talented beauty, Tom’Mya Lyons. God, we ask you to keep her wrapped in your embrace. Please keep her entire family lifted in prayer. Bring her parents peace that surpasses our understanding. Watch over her prom date. Pray for the Homewood-Flossmoor High School community, her friends, classmates, educators, and administrators as they, too, are forever changed. To our HF babies, we are a phone call away should you need me or Coach Courtland.”
Tom’Mya’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief and remembrance from her peers and the community. A memorial of flowers, photos, and heartfelt messages has been placed outside Homewood-Flossmoor High School, where students, friends, and community members have gathered to honor her memory. The heartfelt tributes reflect the deep impact Tom’Mya had on the lives of those who knew her. As a student, friend, and person, she was loved by many, and her loss is felt by all.
As the community continues to process this tragic loss, the school district has made grief counselors available to provide support to students and staff throughout the week. The school’s effort to address the emotional needs of its students and staff highlights the deep care and commitment to providing a safe and supportive environment during this difficult time.
In addition to the immediate support offered by the school and the community, plans are underway for a candlelight vigil to be held in honor of Tom’Mya. The vigil will provide an opportunity for the community to come together, to mourn, reflect, and celebrate the life of a young woman who touched so many hearts. Funeral services for Tom’Mya will also be announced in the coming days as her family works through the arrangements during this incredibly difficult time.
This loss has affected not only her family but also the broader community of Homewood and Flossmoor, as Tom’Mya was known for her leadership, compassion, and contagious positivity. Those who knew her say her spirit will continue to live on in the memories she left behind. She was always ready to lend a helping hand, offer words of encouragement, and brighten the days of those around her. Her passion for life was evident in everything she did, from her academic achievements to her involvement in extracurricular activities. Tom’Mya was a student who took great pride in her studies and always sought to do her best. Her dreams and aspirations were limitless, and it is this hope and ambition that her family and friends will hold dear as they navigate through their grief.
Her sudden departure from this world is a painful reminder of how fleeting life can be and how important it is to cherish the moments we have with those we love. It also serves as a poignant reminder of the need to support one another during times of sorrow and to come together as a community to find solace and strength. The Homewood-Flossmoor High School community has shown its unwavering commitment to supporting one another during this difficult time, with teachers, students, and community leaders offering their compassion and solidarity.
As friends and family continue to mourn the loss of a bright, young life, we take comfort in knowing that Tom’Mya’s legacy will live on in the countless memories, kind words, and heartfelt tributes shared by those who knew her. Her life may have been cut short, but her impact on her family, friends, and community will never be forgotten.
In closing, we offer our deepest condolences to Tom’Mya’s family and loved ones. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the Homewood-Flossmoor High School community, and we stand with them as they navigate this painful time. Tom’Mya’s light will forever shine in their hearts, and her memory will continue to inspire all who knew her. May her soul rest in peace, and may her family find the strength and comfort they need in the days to come.
