3 killed in fiery crash during street race on Far South Side
CHICAGO (CBS) – Three people are dead following a crash on Chicago's Far South Side, which is being blamed on street racing. The victims died after the car caught fire.
A witness told CBS 2's Shardaa Gray he heard the crash, but it was too late to help.
The charred remains, from boots to clothing, show the nature of the crash.
"This seems like it shows what happens when we don't take life seriously," said Re'El Walker El. "It can happen in a split second."
The vehicle carrying three people slammed into the Grand Motel in the 12000 block of South Halsted Street in the Washington Heights neighborhood.
Walker El said he was inside on the second floor when he heard a loud crash.
"I looked out the window and saw it was a car that was ablaze. It was on fire. There was no way to rescue anybody," he said.
Chicago Police said the crash happened just before 11 p.m. A person passing by said they saw the car doing donuts, so they called police. Officers responding to street racing in the area saw a vehicle hit a pole.
"It sounded like it was speeding, it hit the side of the building and exploded upon impact and just blew right up," said Walker El.
The Chicago Fire Department arrived to put out the flames.
Once they had the fire under control, they found three victims inside. The victims were pronounced dead on scene.
Several officers and firefighters surrounded the charred car.
Walker El said many people tried to help.
"The people on the first floor tried to run out, but it was too late," he said. "We pretty much knew it was a death situation, pretty much, I think. Everybody died."
Investigators from the Major Accidents Unit were there for several hours looking into this crash.
"Just everybody slow down, take your time. That's all you have is your time. Take your time, slow down," Walker El said.
The investigation is ongoing.
The people killed in the crash have not been identified.