Chicago woke up Friday to the aftermath of a deadly crash on its Northwest Side. Just before 6 a.m., in the 3500 block of North Elston Avenue, two vehicles collided in a violent chain of seconds that changed lives instantly.
Police said a Toyota RAV4 was traveling northbound on Elston Avenue when it ignored a traffic signal. At the same time, a Toyota Prius was moving along Kedzie Avenue. The SUV struck the Prius hard, causing severe damage.
The Prius carried two men. The 37-year-old driver was critically hurt and taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center for emergency care. His condition remains serious.
His passenger, 25-year-old Ali Abdullah, was also transported to the hospital. Doctors later pronounced him dead. What began as a routine early morning ride ended in tragedy.
Attention has now turned to the driver of the RAV4. According to police, that driver ran from the crash site on foot instead of staying to help or answer questions. No arrest has been made.
The Chicago Police Department’s Major Accidents Investigation Unit is leading the case. Officers are examining the scene, reviewing evidence, and trying to determine every factor that led to the crash.
Investigators are urging witnesses to step forward with any information. While detectives work to track down the person who fled, a young man’s life has been cut short, and a critical survivor continues to fight for his own recovery.
