A driver accused in a tragic, fatal crash in Oak Lawn that killed two nuns and left several others injured in October was intoxicated at the time of the crash, according to a toxicology report released Monday.
Officials said Edward Carthans, the 81-year-old Chicago driver who was also killed in the crash, had a blood alcohol concentration of .179 percent, more than two times the legal limit. Police said alcohol intoxication has been ruled as a “contributing factor to the crash, as well as excessive speed.”
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.
Citing witnesses, investigators said 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.
Bury and Village Manager Larry Deetjen confirmed three people were killed in the accident, including Carthans. The deceased were identified 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.
