Chicago Police

Man Charged After Allegedly Striking, Killing Woman During Police Chase

Chicago police announced that murder charges have been filed against a man who allegedly struck and killed a woman during a police chase on Chicago's South Side Thursday. 

The woman, 55-year-old Julia Callaway, was hit by a car in the 7900 block of South Lafayette Avenue in the West Chatham neighborhood at around 5:33 p.m. Thursday, according to Chicago police and the Cook County Medical Examiner's office.

She was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center where she was pronounced dead at 6:36 p.m., officials said.

22-year-old Curtis Pugh, of Matteson, was charged with several felonies, including murder and leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in injury or death. 

Pugh also allegedly struck a 30-year-old man, who was injured and treated at the scene. 

Officers were attempting to conduct a traffic stop on a gray sedan near 81st Street and South Evans Avenue when the vehicle fled, according to police.

Authorities said the car struck two pedestrians - Callaway and a 30-year-old man, who was treated on the scene - before striking an SUV a few blocks away.

Neighbors said they heard a large boom and then saw a man and woman both lying on the ground.

Three male offenders jumped out of the car after it crashed and attempted to run away, according to police, but were taken into custody.

Officers said narcotics were recovered from inside the vehicle. Further details on suspects' ages and identities were not immediately available and charges were pending.

Contact Us