CHICAGO — A devastating crash on Chicago’s South Side Friday night left two people dead and three others injured, according to Chicago police. The collision occurred around 9:30 p.m. in the 7500 block of South Vincennes Avenue in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood.
Authorities say a 37-year-old woman driving a gray Buick sedan was traveling westbound when she attempted to make a left turn to go south but failed to yield at the intersection, colliding with an oncoming black Dodge that was headed east.
The Dodge, which carried five occupants, sustained severe damage. Inside were a 15-year-old girl, an 18-year-old woman, a 20-year-old man, a 25-year-old woman, and the 26-year-old male driver. Tragically, the 18-year-old woman, identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office as April Valencia, and the 20-year-old man, identified as Matthew Cuadra, were transported to University of Chicago Hospital, where both succumbed to their injuries.
The remaining passengers the 15-year-old girl, the 25-year-old woman, and the driver were also hospitalized but are expected to recover, as their injuries were described as non-life-threatening.
A parked gray Mercedes sedan, which was unoccupied at the time, was also struck during the collision.
The driver of the Buick was cited for failure to yield during a left turn, police confirmed. The Major Accidents Investigation Unit continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
This tragic incident has left families and friends mourning the sudden loss of April Valencia and Matthew Cuadra, whose lives were cut short in the heartbreaking crash.