CPS Safe Passage worker, 4 others injured in South Side Chicago crash
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Chicago Public Schools Safe Passage worker was among five people injured in a crash in Englewood Wednesday afternoon, a coworker said.
Police had been on the lookout for the car that crashed since 4 a.m. Tuesday. A search that began in Riverdale nearly 36 hours earlier ended in Chicago.
The crash happened at 63rd Street and Stewart Avenue around 3:45 p.m. when a white sedan traveling westbound on 63rd Street struck a red sedan.
Cellphone video captured the aftermath of the violent crash. Car debris and personal belongings were left scattered everywhere.
The Safe Passage worker saw the white car speeding down the street. The car hit a light pole, and the coworker said she saw her colleague – and then suddenly, she didn't see the colleague anymore.
Police said the worker was hurt by an object as a result of the crash.
The worker was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition, police said. the two occupants of the white sedan, a woman and a man, were taken to the U of C in good condition. The two male occupants of the red car were taken to St. Bernard Hospital, also in good condition.
A witness described the scene as chaotic.
"She flew in the air. She hit the side of her head. It was tragic," a man said. "Really, I hope she's just OK. She didn't really have nothing to do with it."
Police also said the male driver of the white sedan was arrested at the scene. Charges and citations were pending.
Two people on a passing Chicago Transit Authority bus also said they saw the crash and called it traumatic.
A woman who lives nearby says she was just inches away from being hit.
"I would have walked two more steps, he would have hit me. I would have been laying in the street just like these people. When the car came, it came flying – and it hit that doggone pole," said Evelyn Sims, "and that man got out of his car limping – he was coming this way."
"The crossing guard – she wasn't moving either for a long time. But in the end, she did kind of sit up," said Iola Larry. "But I could tell that she was really hurt."
The coworker said the Safe Passage worker was stabilized and was aware and talking after the crash.
Police said the white car was wanted out of south suburban Riverdale.
Riverdale police said two of their officers in spotted the stolen car on 144th Street at 4 a.m. Tuesday. Officers tried to pull over the car, but the driver did not stop – and instead hit the front of two marked Riverdale police cars and caused minor damage, Riverdale police said.
The driver zoomed north on Halsted Street from 144th Street, and Riverdale police initially pursued the car, but gave up the chase due to unsafe speeds, police said.
The car was entered into the Riverdale police crime database as a felonious vehicle, police said.
Chicago Police said the driver who crashed in Englewood Wednesday was arrested, and charges against him were pending late Wednesday.
