2 Teens Killed When Stolen Car Crashes in Harvey

Two teens who were killed when a stolen vehicle they were riding in crashed early Sunday in south suburban Harvey have been identified.

Michael Johnson, 16, and Tashanda Reed, 17, both of Riverdale, were dead at the scene, according to Harvey officials and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.

Autopsies found both died of multiple injuries from an automobile striking a fixed object and their deaths were ruled accidents, according to the medical examiner’s office.

Two other juveniles, one of whom was driving the 4-door Saturn, were in intensive care Sunday at Advocate Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn.

The single-vehicle crash happened at about 2:10 a.m. in the 300 block of East Sibley Boulevard, Harvey spokesman Sean Howard said. Police believe the car was traveling at least 60 mph when it reached a train viaduct near a Metra parking lot.

“The viaduct is very narrow and, if you’re going through at a high rate of speed, you’re not going to make it,” Howard said.

The car was reported stolen from Dolton on Friday, Howard said. Police are looking into whether one of the teens was responsible for the theft.

Investigators do not believe drugs or alcohol contributed to the crash. Video recordings from cameras at the Metra station and across the street at an auto auction business are being examined by police.

Police have ruled out the possibility that the teens were drag racing or that they were involved in a chase with law enforcement, Howard said.