Early Friday morning, a vehicle incident sent an SUV crashing into a Far South Side Chicago liquor store, leaving two people with injuries. The collision occurred around 1 a.m. in the 1200 block of West 81st Street, CBS News Chicago reports. A 32-year-old man was traveling west in a black sedan when he reportedly ignored a traffic signal, resulting in a collision with the SUV that subsequently lost control and struck the building.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the two individuals in the SUV—a man and a woman—suffered minor injuries and were promptly treated at the scene by fire crews. They were then transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where they were listed in fair condition. The sedan’s driver was fortunate to have escaped physical harm. Traffic citations are, however, pending against him.
Chicago police have stated that the incident led to not only injuries but also inflicted damage on the liquor store's edifice. The structural integrity of the affected building is a matter of concern, prompting the summons of a building inspector to ensure the safety and stability of the property.
The aftermath of the crash left the area swarmed by emergency services, with fire crews waiting to receive confirmation from the building inspector about the safety of the compromised structure. Police have yet to release the ages of the injured SUV occupants, and the condition of the building will likely dictate the next steps for both the store's operation and the surrounding area's traffic flow.
