Police Chase Sparks Deadly Crash in McKinley Park, Witness Feels ‘Very Lucky’ to be Alive
A Violent Collision
Cory Smith, a 44-year-old repossession agent, was on the clock when a car speeding from Chicago police ran a red light and collided with his sport utility vehicle before plowing into a building on the South Side. A passenger in the car was ejected and died early Tuesday.
“I was making a turn [and] I got nailed,” Smith said hours after the crash. “Looking at the car, I probably should’ve been worse or dead.”
The Chase
About 2 a.m., members of a Chicago police robbery team were on patrol when they saw two people believed to be armed get into a black, 2007 Lexus ES in the 5500 block of South Pulaski Road, police said. Officers began pursuing the sedan, which fled at a “high rate of speed” for about 4 miles before running a red light, smashing into Smith’s 2024 Kia Soul and hitting a building in the 3500 block of South Ashland Avenue, police said.
Fatal Consequences
A male passenger of the Lexus was ejected and landed on the sidewalk among the rubble of the partially collapsed building, according to a police report. The unidentified passenger was declared dead on the scene at 2:19 a.m. while a 23-year-old West Side man behind the wheel was taken to Stroger Hospital with a leg injury, police said. Two guns were recovered and no charges have been announced.
Injuries and Damage
Smith suffered injuries to his ankle and left arm, but otherwise said he was “very lucky.” The crash caused substantial damage to the building at the northeast corner of Ashland and 35th Street, partially collapsing its roof.
Neighborhood Impact
Gas company and fence crews tied up traffic on Ashland much of Tuesday morning, causing headaches for the neighborhood florist across the street of the crash. “It was a nightmare,” building owner Mick Fasan said of the blocked roads and traffic jams, which finally cleared up about 10 a.m.
Investigation
Police said no officers were injured and the crash was being investigated by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.
Conclusion
The collision highlights the dangers and risks involved in high-speed police chases. The pursuit of the Lexus led to a fatal crash and several injuries, and serves as a reminder of the need for caution and restraint when engaging in high-stakes chases.
FAQs
Q: How many people were involved in the crash?
A: Two people were involved in the crash: the passenger of the Lexus and Cory Smith, the driver of the SUV.
Q: How many people were injured in the crash?
A: Two people were injured in the crash: Smith and the 23-year-old West Side man who was driving the Lexus.
Q: What is being done to investigate the crash?
A: The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating the crash, and police have recovered two guns from the scene.
