Minivan Crashes into News Studio

By Tim State in News on Dec 24, 2007 4:25AM

ABC-7 hasn’t missed a beat in their 10 p.m. broadcast, despite a minivan crashing through their glass-front studio. Their Web site says the news team was startled, and police arrived on the scene shortly after. By the sports segment at 20 minutes past the hour, the crew was joking that it was chilly in the studio like a Bears game.

No further details or photos are available yet.

Update 10:34 p.m.: Witnesses say someone asked the driver to move the van, and it may have been deliberate. It’s unknown who is was driving the van. There appears to be no injuries.

Update 10:53 p.m.: A commenter on ABC-7’s site suggests investigators scrutinize the video when the broadcast switched from the weather to the news: “The guy was backing up and obviously getting ready for the hit.” Ravi Baichwal was anchoring, and managed to keep his cool. Chicago Fire, as well as Chicago Police, are on the scene in the 100 block of North State, trying to make sense of the situation.

Update 11:04 p.m.: ABC-7 now has video on their site from their Macy’s cam, and the report recorded at about 10 minutes after the hour. No YouTube of Ravi yet, who reportedly screamed at the time of the accident.

Update 11:31 p.m.: There are now two videos on ABC-7’s site, the second showing Ravi’s reaction to the car crashing through the studio. No more information on the driver or the cause.

Screen capture from ABC-7.