Woman Killed After Car Splits In 2, Catches Fire In River North Crash

CHICAGO, IL — A woman was killed early Monday when the car she was a passenger in was ripped in two and caught fire after slamming into a River North utility pole, the Chicago Tribune reports. The car's driver was able to escape the vehicle, and Chicago police say that individual fled the accident scene on foot, the report added.

According to police, the car — a 2009 Nissan coupe — was speeding westbound in the 400 block of West Ontario Street when the accident occurred around 1:30 a.m. Monday, June 26, the report stated. That's when the vehicle swerved into a utility pole, causing the pole's light to fall to the street and knocking over aother pole, the report added. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Chicago — or your neighborhood. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Emergency crews pulled the victim from the wreckage, and she was pronounced dead at the scene, the report stated. Authorities have not released the name of the woman, who is believed to be in her 20s, the report added.

The crash is being investigated by the Major Accidents Unit, and it's not known yet if charges will be filed stemming from it.

More via the Chicago Tribune

Photo via Shutterstock

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