Police Identify Jamie Poulos, 23, As Victim Of Fatal Uber Crash On I-55
CHICAGO (CBS)-- Jamie Poulos, 23, of Berwyn, was killed in a fiery Uber crash on I-55 at Damen Avenue early Sunday morning, Illinois State Police said.
Police confirmed an on-duty Uber vehicle with four occupants was struck from behind by another car driven by a 22-year-old, which caused a fire. The three other occupants were removed from the fully engulfed vehicle just after 3:30 a.m.
The crash shut down part of the Stevenson Expressway for eight hours.
Poulos, who was sitting in the rear passenger seat of the Uber, was unable to be removed.
Anastacio Morales' sister said her brother was in the Uber with Poulos and another friend and that he was able to remove the Uber driver and the other friend from the burning car. But, Morales could not save Poulos, who was sitting in the rear passenger seat.
Officials said Poulos was pronounced dead on the scene due to the extent of injury. She was celebrating her 23rd birthday weekend.
Poulos' mother Andrea described her daughter as a "perfect child"
Jamie Poulos died overnight Sunday in a fiery crash along I-55, moments after celebrating her 23rd birthday. She was riding in an Uber with her friends when another car rear-ended them, causing the fire. She was pinned in the backseat and couldn't get out. @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/0upLgNMqin
— Eric Cox (@EricCoxTV) April 28, 2019
She said she didn't want Morales to feel guilty for Jamie's death.
"I told him I don't want him to feel bad because he tried and he was a good friend to her," Poulos said.
The Poulos family are Orthodox Christians and had big plans to celebrate Easter Sunday before they got the news about Jamie.
"Our hearts go out to the victim's family and everyone impacted by this terrible incident. We stand ready to assist law enforcement with their investigation," an Uber representative said in a written statement.
A woman said her brother was in a car crash on I-55 south at Damen Avenue. He was in an Uber with two female friends when they were rear ended. Their car spun and burst into flames. Her brother got out and ran back to try to save his friends and the driver. @cbschicago
— Vi Nguyen (@ViNguyen) April 28, 2019
She said her brother was able to save the driver and one of his female friends. The other one was trapped and died at the scene. @cbschicago
— Vi Nguyen (@ViNguyen) April 28, 2019
Another passenger of the Uber, Alex Kariott, is currently being treated for severe burns at Stroger Hospital.
Police are still investigating the cause of the crash.