Two people were killed late Tuesday when an all-terrain vehicle crashed into a concrete barrier along 159th Street in South Holland, cutting short what started as a late-night ride and ending in a devastating scene for first responders.
Emergency crews were dispatched shortly after 11 p.m. after an iPhone crash-detection alert signaled a serious impact. When they arrived, they found one victim dead at the scene and another gravely injured. Authorities said no other vehicles were involved, and the cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Crash details and victims
South Holland police told CBS Chicago that the woman who died at the scene was identified as 32-year-old Bria Fleming of South Holland. The man riding with her, 47-year-old Terrell Jennings of Country Club Hills, was found unconscious and taken to the hospital, where he later died.
Officers said the ATV had struck a concrete barrier, and that the iPhone crash-detection alert is what first drew emergency crews to the location, according to CBS Chicago.
Where the injured were taken
The injured rider was transported to Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, a south-suburban medical center that is part of the UChicago Medicine network. UChicago Medicine lists Ingalls as a primary emergency and surgical hospital serving communities across the southern suburbs.
Investigation underway
South Holland police say the crash is being investigated with help from the Suburban Major Accident Reconstruction Team as they work to piece together how the ATV ended up hitting the barrier. Investigators are reviewing the scene and available evidence to determine what factors may have contributed to the collision.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the South Holland Police Department at 708-331-3131, ext. 2, as reported by CBS Chicago.
ATV safety reminder
All-terrain vehicle crashes can cause severe head trauma and other serious injuries. Federal safety guidance stresses wearing proper protective gear, following age and vehicle-size recommendations, and avoiding paved roads and high speeds. Helmet use and rider training are among the key ways to reduce the risk of injury in ATV incidents, the CPSC advises.
