Introduction to the Incident
A two-vehicle traffic collision in a busy intersection led to the death of an 88-year-old woman when one of the vehicles flipped over and slammed into the great-grandmother Saturday evening in Garfield Ridge on the Southwest Side. Maria Ochoa was on one of her evening walks and only a couple of blocks away from her home when the crash happened, according to her son, Alberto Ochoa, who joined about a dozen loved ones for a vigil at the scene Sunday evening.
The Crash and Its Aftermath
The Saturday incident unfolded when a 26-year-old man behind the wheel of a silver SUV that was eastbound in the 5600 block of South Archer Avenue “suddenly” tried to make a left turn and was hit by a gray car that was westbound on Archer Avenue about 5:30 p.m., Chicago police said.
Bystanders, including two doctors, began chest compressions on Maria Ochoa, trying to save her life. “Everything happened so fast.” a witness said.
The Victim and the Community’s Response
The silver 2012 Chevrolet Equinox struck Maria Ochoa, who was in the crosswalk. She was “motionless and unresponsive” on a sidewalk as the SUV flipped onto its driver’s side, a police report said.
Jacob Ochoa, Maria Ochoa’s grandson, leads a prayer at a vigil for his grandmother on Sunday evening at the Archer Avenue corner where Maria Ochoa was struck and killed by a SUV on Saturday evening.
Calls for Action
Fernando Ochoa, another of Maria Ochoa’s sons, said the area has a reputation for reckless driving and he often hears cars racing up and down the street. He wants more speed cameras and speed bumps in the area and stiffer penalties for those flouting the laws.
Loved ones left flowers at the scene where Maria Ochoa was fatally struck by an SUV that rolled over in a crash. Relatives say the stretch of Archer Avenue where Ochoa was killed needs speed cameras and better traffic enforcement.
Conclusion
The tragic death of Maria Ochoa has highlighted the need for increased safety measures in the Garfield Ridge neighborhood. The community is calling for action, including the installation of speed cameras and speed bumps, to prevent similar incidents in the future.
FAQs
Q: What happened to Maria Ochoa?
A: Maria O
