An SUV driver reportedly shot himself in the head after crashing his vehicle into multiple vehicles, including a Pace bus in Chicago, Illinois, leaving fourteen people injured.
NBC Chicago reported that the driver, identified as Thomas E. Cremeens, 48, of Plainfield, was heading southbound on Harlem Avenue in Oak Park.
According to Village of Oak Park officials, he jumped a signal at Lake Street before going onto the northbound lane. Just before 9 a.m., the SUV driver avoided a pedestrian and crashed into two or three vehicles, including the Pace bus.
Debris lay around the accident spot due to the multiple vehicles involved. Several eyewitnesses called 911 after the collision. However, as soon as a good Samaritan stepped away after checking on the SUV driver, he heard a gunshot.
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Once the police arrived, they found a gun located on the floorboard of the SUV. The driver, who reportedly shot himself, had a gunshot wound to his head.
Among the 14 people injured in the crash, three were treated at the accident scene, while eleven others were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Fortunately, none of the victims suffered serious injuries.
Street Takeover in Hyde Park
MotorBiscuit reported another incident from Illinois recently, this time in Chicago’s Hyde Park, where a large teen gathering on Monday night left several cars with extensive damage.
Hundreds of teens were seen jumping from car to car, and despite a police presence, the neighborhood became chaotic. As a result, the police and the city’s mayor have been urged by residents to adopt concrete measures to curb such mass incidents.
Once the 10 p.m. curfew came into effect, Chicago Police Department officers took matters into their own hands. A 16-year-old girl, who was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, disorderly conduct, and failure to obey police, was among those arrested.
CPD Supt. Larry Snelling said on Tuesday that parents and guardians need to do a better job of keeping their children away from such street takeovers. He said:
“When we don’t hold them accountable, we’re telling them that what they’re doing is OK, and it’s not right. We can’t have them harming each other, harming others, damaging property. We want to make sure that everyone gets to enjoy our city.”
He added:
“Your behavior has to be such that everyone can appreciate. You shouldn’t be trying to harm each other. You shouldn’t be trying to harm others. You shouldn’t be trying to damage property. You know, that may be fun for the person at the time who’s doing it, but it’s not fun for those who are affected by these types of crimes.
“I want everyone to enjoy the city. It is a beautiful city, but we have to follow laws, and if we’re not doing that, then we’re doing something wrong, and everyone has to get involved.”
