Three killed in Oak Park accident
Road rage is to blame for the accident the killed 3 people Thursday night in Maywood, police said.
The crash happened around 10:30 p.m. at First and Chicago avenues, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.
Christopher A. McConnell, 21, of Oak Park, IL was chasing another car westbound on Chicago Avenue when he drove through a red light, broadsiding a Mercedes SUV which was entering the intersection on a green light, police said.
Nancy Tucki, 57, and Nicholas Randazzo, 36, both of Chicago, who were in the Mercedes, were killed.
McConnell was also killed.
According to Maywood Police Chief Tim Curry said the crash began over a road rage incident.
McConnell was upset when an 18 year old driving a minivan on Chicago Ave noticed McConnell's Honda stopped up on a curb against a stop sign. The 18 yr old notified River Forest Police.
“For some reason (McConnell) got angry,” attempting to engage the minivan driver with his car, Curry said.
The driver of the minivan driver attempted get away from McConnell, who followed him into Maywood. The minivan was able to cross irst Avenue against the red light.
“When (McConnell) got into the intersection, he broadsided a (Mercedes) SUV,” Curry said.
Randazzo was pronounced dead at the scene. Tucki and McConnell were taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, where they were pronounced dead at about 11 p.m.
No other people were involved in the accident. Medical examiners will perform an autopsy to find out whether McConnell was driving drunk or under the influence.
Illinois State Police are reconstructing the accident. .
“From the information we have so far, we don't see it as necessary to file charges against (the 18-year-old minivan driver),” he said.
McConnell has a record with local authorities. In Oct., he was charged with theft for stealing a River Forest woman's 1997 Saturn from the parking garage Oak Park-River Forest High School. The next day 11th District Chicago police stopped McConnell who was driving the stolen car.
