23-Year-Old Uber Passenger Killed by Alleged Drunk Driver

COOK COUNTY, Ill. — A 23-year-old woman lost her life, and other passengers were seriously injured in a fiery crash that happened on Sunday, April 28, 2019, around 3:20 a.m. according to the Chicago Tribune. The young adults were riding in an Uber rideshare vehicle on I-55 that was struck by a driver who was allegedly intoxicated. While one passenger died and the others struggled to free themselves from the wreckage, the drunk driver purportedly walked away from the scene and hailed another rideshare car. The drunk driver fled from the scene of the wreck. Illinois State Police and Will County Sherriff’s Office deputies tracked that driver down at his home and placed him under arrest. The driver now faces a host of criminal charges. *

According to the Chicago Tribune, four young adults were riding in an Uber on I-55 near the Damen Avenue exit. As the Uber drove south on the Stevenson Expressway a man driving a 2015 Infinity sedan plowed into the rear of the Uber vehicle, believed to be a Hyundai sedan. The Hyundai burst into flames as a result of the tremendous impact. The 23-year-old woman in the backseat perished in the fire. People attempted to save her but could not because of the flames. The other three passengers and the Uber driver escaped the fire. All of the passengers sustained serious injuries and were hospitalized. The Uber driver was not seriously hurt.

The driver of the Infinity allegedly walked away from the crash. Investigators determined that the 22-year-old motorist from Homer Glen hailed another rideshare vehicle and fled the scene. Officers tracked the operator down at his home and arrested him. Investigators brought several charges including reckless vehicular homicide, aggravated drunk driving, and failing to report a fatal accident among other charges. A judge set his bond at $100,000 along with conditions of release designed to prevent him from driving or consuming alcohol while on release before trial. 

*https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-uber-fatal-crash-drunk-driving-charges-20190430-story.html