Dramatic video was released Friday of a tragic crash in Oak Lawn that left three people dead and injured several others.
Oak Lawn Mayor Sandra Bury said the accident took place just before 5 p.m. when a vehicle was traveling west and collided with cars waiting at a stoplight at the intersection.
The video, released by Oak Lawn police, shows a pickup truck speeding through an intersection, narrowly missing a motorcyclist before plowing into several cars waiting at a red light across the street.
Citing witnesses, investigators said the driver, Edward Carthans, appeared to slump over the steering wheel while near West 95th Street and South Western Avenue. He reportedly told people who came to help that he was OK and drove off.
A short time later, Carthans crashed into four cars at West 95th Street and Keeler Avenue in Oak Lawn, police said. He then sped off "at a high rate of speed" and collided with the other vehicles at 95th and Cicero.
In addition to the footage, 911 calls showcased the shocked reaction from many witnesses.
“There’s a truck literally on top of another car,” one caller said. “Someone’s stuck up under the car.”
Bury and Village Manager Larry Deetjen confirmed three people were killed in the accident. The deceased were identified Monday as Sister Jean Stickney, 86, and Sister Kab Kyoung Kim, 48. Both were from the Little Company of Mary Sisters.
According to the Cook County medical examiner’s office, Edward Carthans, 81, died of multiple injuries sustained in a motor vehicle collision.
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Police said investigators were still trying to determine the speed of the vehicle before the crash and were waiting for toxicology results, which could take several weeks.
