Motorist Dead After Crashing Into Chatham Home
CHICAGO (STMW) -- A motorist was killed after he crashed a car into a vacant home Thursday in the South Side Chatham neighborhood.
According to witnesses, a white BMW was traveling at a high rate of speed while turning west onto 87th Street from Indiana Avenue, when the driver lost control, and struck a home at 77 E. 87th St. about 5:15 a.m., said police News Affairs Officer John Mirabelli.
The force of the crash ruptured a gas line, and pinned the driver's side of the car into the home, according to Fire Media Affairs. A Level 1 Hazmat was called for the crash.
Peoples Gas was able to secure the gas leak, Mirabelli said.
The driver, identified as Derek Thomas, 48, of the 9000 block of South Dante Avenue, was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:34 a.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office.
There were no other injuries, Mirabelli said.
The police Major Accidents Investigation Unit is investigating.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
