CHICAGO HEIGHTS, Ill. (WLS) — Two drivers who were killed in a fiery car crash Friday in the south suburbs have been identified.
Three juveniles were hospitalized, police said.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
The crash involved five vehicles at the busy intersection of Chicago Road and Joe Orr Road, police said, where there was mangled metal, fire and chaos, and a desperate race to try to save lives.
Several people were seen being taken away in ambulances.
Two drivers were pronounced dead at the scene and three juveniles were taken to area hospitals, Chicago Heights police said.
On Saturday, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the deceased drivers as 26-year-old Nacease Spring and 45-year-old Tyra Willingham.
“It’s beyond belief. I’ve never seen anything like that before,” said Maria Garcia, who works nearby. “I’ve seen accidents, but not like this.”
Witnesses told ABC7 the crash involved at least four or five vehicles and it happened around 4:30 p.m. Loved-ones of some of the victims were inconsolable at the scene.
“It was like a demolition derby, you know,” said Rivers West, who drove past the crash scene. “It was cars everywhere, you know, and people were laying all out on the grass. It was crazy.”
West captured dramatic images minutes after the crash and saw multiple bodies in the street.
“They had one on fire, and it was popping, like it was going to blow up or something like that,” West said. “They made us get back.”
ABC7 is still waiting for more information from Chicago Heights police about the exact cause of the crash, but the severity of the damage suggested a high rate of speed.
At least one vehicle ended up in grass, and a power pole was snapped, leaving hundreds of nearby ComEd customers without electricity.
“I just feel sad because, I mean, such a tragedy should not happen,” Garcia said.
ABC7 spoke off camera with relatives of at least three possible victims at the scene. They had been waiting for hours for information on their loved-ones.
Chicago Heights police said they don’t have any details yet about exactly what happened, but they will have answers once they wrap up the investigation.
Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.