17-year-old killed in crash during police chase: cops

The driver of a stolen vehicle who was fleeing police officers crashed into a tree and killed a 17-year-old passenger, police said.

At least one of the occupants of the stolen vehicle fired a gun near the corner of Collins and Cass streets about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, police said.

Officers spotted the vehicle a short time later near the intersection of Cass Street and Eastern Avenue and gave chase, police said.

Officers lost sight of the vehicle as it crossed the Cass Street bridge, police said, but additional officers picked up the pursuit on Western Avenue.

Those officer broke off the chase as the fleeing vehicle was speeding in residential neighborhoods without headlights, according to police.

“A short time later, a 911 call was received in reference to a single-vehicle traffic crash in the 1100 block of Glenwood Avenue,” police said. “Officers responded to the scene and located the fleeing vehicle involved in the crash.”

Officers determined the fleeing vehicle was heading south on Catherine Street and approaching Glenwood when it ran off the road and hit a tree, police said.

“Three adult male occupants were located within the vehicle with serious injuries,” police said.

The driver and front seat passenger were transported to AMITA St. Joseph Medical Center and the other passenger was taken to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, police said.

“The front passenger was pronounced deceased at the hospital,” police said. “The driver of the vehicle sustained critical injuries and was airlifted to Loyola Medical Center. The rear passenger remains at Silver Cross Hospital in critical condition.”

The Will County Coroner’s Office identified the dead teen as Kahleel Gaines-Streeter.

Police said a weapon was recovered from the wrecked vehicle.