Chicagoist's Bronzeville bureau got a real-world reminder of the bedlam that follows much of the impersonal breaking news coverage after stumbling into the aftermath of a spectacular South Side traffic accident last night. more ›

It's not a secret that the Chicago Police Department had a rough year last year, and news of this fatal incident is definitely not a happy way for the Chicago Police Department to ring in the new year. more ›

A motorist and a CTA train operator were both hospitalized on Sunday morning after a Brown Line train hit a car at 7:10 a.m. in the 4600 block of North Kedzie Avenue in Albany Park, police News Affairs Officer John Mirabelli said via the Chicago Sun-Times. According to Fire Media Affairs Chief Joe Roccasalva, the driver of the car was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in serious to critical condition and the train operator, who was only "shaken up," was taken in good condition to Illinois Masonic as well. No passengers on the train were injured. A CTA advisory alert mentioned "significant delays" on Sunday morning due to the incident, and service is suspended between the Kimball and Western stations, with shuttle buses available to provide service through the affected area.
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Daniel Vasquez, 28, a new police recruit, was driving home from his fourth day of training on Friday morning when he spotted another driver that had crashed on the Stevenson Expy. Vasquez pulled over to help, and moments later, he was hit by another car. Vasquez was taken to Stroger Hospital for head trauma, but according to State Police Master Sgt. Devin Stokes, the injury is not life-threatening. more ›

Earl Tavin, 18, of the 9100 block of South Cottage Grove Ave., died in car crash early Saturday on the Dan Ryan (I-94) at 69th Street, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office via the Chicago Sun-Times. Yet somehow, his body ended up in a South Side alley almost a mile away. Police are investigating how Tavin was struck and potentially dragged in the crash, which could have led to him winding up in the alley. more ›

On Monday, Nakella Harper, 18, was due to start her first day at Triton Community College in River Grove, but her life was unfortunately cut short when she was hit by a car and dragged late Saturday in the Galewood neighborhood. Harper, of the 1000 block of Cernan Drive in Bellwood, was pronounced dead at 11:44 p.m. on Saturday at the Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. more ›

• While everyone was focused on the State St. Old Navy store shooting, two people were injured in a shooting on the Dan Ryan Expressway.
• Amidst the sexual harassment investigation, Chicago Fire Commissioner John Brooks has resigned retired.
• A multiple car accident near Kedzie and Archer also resulted in cars striking a bus shelter, injuring pedestrians.

Four men ranging in age from their early 20s to 30s died this morning when their car crashed and flipped over in Crest Hill, officials said. The names of the four men have not been released, but a family member of one of the deceased informed officials that they were all friends who had grown up together in Romeoville. more ›

Happy first weekend of September - and happy Labor Day weekend, too, for our American cities! Let's take a look at what's been happening around the Ist-a-verse. The deaths of two firefighters shook Bostonist this week. Boston's firefighters bent over backwards all week long - first, they fought flames pouring from the Boston Tea Party museum, and then a restaurant fire killed two and injured many more. Their efforts make everything else - like Tom... more ›

It's been barely more than 24 hours since Lance Briggs' brand new $450,000 Lamborghini was found wrapped around a pole on the side of the Edens Expressway. In that time, we have learned that he was in fact driving the car at the time of the accident, and as a result on Monday was charged with leaving the scene of an accident -- a misdemeanor-- and ticketed for failure to immediately notify police of a... more ›

An air of unfairness permeates everything about the George Ryan trial. His fall from grace, you may remember, began with the License-for-Bribe Scandal, a scandal that involved the deaths of nearly an entire family caused by a truck driver who had effectively bought his commercial drivers license. Of the many themes that have been present in the George Ryan corruption trial, a recurring one has been forgiveness. Besides his connection to corruption in state politics,... more ›

When five teenagers from Oswego died last month in a horrifying car accident after leaving a party, it wasn't hard to retrace their steps to find a party with a whole lot of booze. Those killed — and the driver, 23-year-old Sandra Vasquez — had all been at a house party where alcohol was served to minors. more ›

In a week where Wisconsin earned its first ever #1 ranking for Men's Basketball and then quickly tossed it aside, losing to the Spartans of Michigan State, the next night it is the Illini who are getting all the press. more ›

We all know all too well, this week's winter weather can be a pain in the ass. But it can also be dangerous, as two members of the University of Illinois basketball team learned the hard way Monday night. Freshman center Brian Carlwell and sophomore guard Jamar Smith were injured in a single-car accident on an icy road, when Smith's Lexus crossed the center line and hit a tree. Smith drove his car to his... more ›

Cold and crime and Bears, oh my! Three teenagers were killed and another injured in a fatal car accident on the West Side early Sunday morning. A 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix carrying the four slammed into a CTA support at a high rate of speed near the Cicero Green Line stop (the Trib says Blue Line, but considering the info provided, that doesn't add up). Two of the passengers were thrown from the car. The... more ›

Who wants to see Bobby Bare Sr. and Bobby Bare Jr. for free? You do? Then we’ve got a giveaway for you, hoss. The father and son duo will be appearing at the Old Town School of Folk Music this Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Chicagoist has two pairs of tickets to give away to Friday night’s show, and we’re making it easy for you to get your hands on ‘em. No essay this... more ›

Move over, Billy Corgan and tell Liz Phair the news: Chicago has a new ambassador of cultural affairs in Kanye West, who graces the cover of this week’s Time magazine. Writer Josh Tyrangiel turns in a solid profile of West (subscription required) that swims in the contradictions of an artist whose brilliance onstage is matched only by his braggadocio and petulance offstage. Proving that it’s not always best to dress up for an interview, West... more ›

We told you yesterday that bikes aren't really allowed on the sidewalk, but we thought it was just common knowledge that the same rules apply to cars! The title of this post is the funniest line we've read all week in the Trib. It's in reference to the car accident yesterday in which one car ended up on the sidewalk of Michigan Avenue. Apparently "no one was seriously injured, but the flower bed was ravaged." Gasp! Flowers! Dead! more ›

While many say Intonation Fest was a victory for the local music scene, it can't quite make up for the loss suffered last week with the murder of three local musicians. Michael Dahlquist from Silkworm, John Glick from The Returnables and Doug Meis from The Dials and Exo were killed in a car accident on Thursday afternoon. Police say Jeanette Sliwinski tried to kill herself by intentionally crashing her car into the vehicle occupied by the three men. Prosecutors say she may face the death penalty. A statement released by her lawyer on Saturday said she was sorry and asked for forgiveness. Well, fuck you Jeanette. more ›

In honor of her 70th birthday, the Chicago City Council has declared today Irma P. Hall Day in Chicago. Shame on you if you just said "Who?" Best known for smacking you upside your head because she's "trying to hep you, boy!", Ms. Hall has been the go-to actress in recent years when filmmakers need someone to symbolize the themes of a picture (Soul Food), provide comic relief (The Ladykillers), or ground a picture that... more ›