Woman Struck And Killed By Car In Chatham
Updated 04/27/15 - 11:12 a.m.
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A young woman was killed when she was struck by a car while crossing the street in the Chatham neighborhood.
Police said the woman was trying to cross Lafayette Avenue at 87th Street around 10 p.m. Sunday, when a Volkswagen Passat speeding off the southbound ramp of the Dan Ryan Expressway smashed into her.
The impact launched the woman onto the hood and through the windshield of the car. Her body came to rest about 90 yards south of the intersection, although it was not immediately clear if she was dragged, carried, or possibly thrown all that way.
"He was doing about between 60 and 70 miles an hour," according to an eyewitness, who asked to remain anonymous. She said red light cameras at the intersection flashed as the car blew a red light.
That witness said what she saw was unforgettable. She watched helplessly as the car slammed into the victim,
"It's horrible. I can't get the picture out of my mind," she said. "It was loud; like a large pop, boom."
The sound was bad enough, but then she ran to the young woman's side. Her body was twisted, battered, and bruised as she lay dying in the street.
"Her jacket was over her face," she said. "We saw her take her last breath."
The woman, who is believed to be in her 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 23-year-old driver of the car and his 24-year-old female passenger were also injured. They were both taken to Advocate Trinity Hospital, and at last check were in stable condition.
"He was hysterical, but he said he didn't mean to, but he ran the light," the eyewitness said.
That witness also said a man who was walking next to the victim narrowly averted being struck by the same car, when he stepped back at the last second, and missed being hit by mere inches.
Police with Major Accident Investigation Unit said speed was likely a factor in the crash, and citations against the driver are expected. Investigators said, so far, there is no reason to believe that drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.