CHICAGO — An elderly woman was killed and several family members — including two children — were injured following a crash on the city’s North Side.
The crash happened around 8 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Peterson and Kimball, where residents say accidents are common.
According to police, a 46-year-old man was traveling eastbound on Peterson in a KIA SUV with five of his family members, when he was struck as he entered the intersection by an 18-year-old man driving a Saturn sedan.
A 78-year-old woman was transported to St. Francis Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The medical examiner has identified her as Zainab Suboh.
The 46-year-old man was transported to Lutheran General Hospital in fair condition. An 81-year-old man was transported to St. Francis in critical condition. A 36-year-old woman was transported to Lutheran General in critical condition.
A 3-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl were transported to Lurie Children’s Hospital and listed in fair condition.
The 18-year-old driving the Saturn sedan was transported to Illinois Masonic Hospital in fair condition.
Shajeeah Abdulmalik is the founder and owner of Eternal Harmony Vegan Wellness. Her shop is at the corner of Peterson and Kimball and she said her heart breaks for the victims.
“It was very devastating because it could have happened to anybody,” she said.
Abdulmalik was closing up shop about an hour before everything happened. While she wasn’t there at the time of the crash, she said it could have easily been her own family or customers.
“It’s very scary,” Abdulmalik said. “It’s really sad.”
Chinasa Nwosu, who lives nearby, described the aftermath as devastating.
“All I see is just two demolished cars and cars surrounding them all, including police cars, fire trucks, and paramedics,” Nwosu said.
Sam Allababidi has owned Oil Plus for decades and said he has voiced concerns about accidents at the deadly crash site. The business owner told WGN News that he has had to replace his fence several times. He has even taken steps, like blocking the entrance with cars, to protect his staff and customers should something happen.
“Sometimes they will crash and drive right into my lot and hit someone too,” Allababidi said.
He wishes more could be done.
“They installed those cameras to catch speeders, but I don’t think it’s working,” he said.
While police have not said what led up to the crash or if any specific factors were involved, those in the area say too many people speed through the intersection and they’re worried for everyone’s safety.
“I’m concerned for everyone’s life. My guys, the people on the streets,” Allababidi said. “It’s sad to hear someone lost their life, you know.”
Yet news of another crash is sad, but not surprising, says Nwosu.
“Living here, you just get used to it,” he said. “It’s not a good thing to get used to thought because you could really just lose your life out here because people are racing in the street. It’s not safe at all.”
The Major Accidents unit is investigating.