Local News
April Valencia and her boyfriend Matthew Cuadra killed in Greater Grand Crossing crash
CHICAGO — Two people were killed and three others were injured following a violent crash on Chicago’s South Side late Friday night, according to police and emergency officials.
The collision occurred around 9:30 p.m. near West 75th Street and South Vincennes Avenue in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood.
According to preliminary information from the Chicago Police Department (CPD), a 37-year-old woman driving a gray Buick sedan was traveling westbound on 75th Street when she attempted to turn south onto Vincennes Avenue.
Investigators say she failed to yield while making the turn, colliding with a black Dodge that was traveling eastbound through the intersection.
The impact caused severe damage to both vehicles, and the force of the crash pushed the Dodge into a parked gray Mercedes-Benz sedan, which was unoccupied at the time.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with debris scattered across the roadway and at least two victims ejected from their vehicle. Emergency responders from the Chicago Fire Department arrived quickly and began rendering aid to multiple victims.
Two occupants of the Dodge, later identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office as 20-year-old Matthew Cuadra and 18-year-old April M. Valencia, both of Lansing, were transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where they were pronounced dead.
The driver of the Dodge, a 26-year-old man, and two additional passengers — a 15-year-old girl and a 25-year-old woman — were also hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
Family members have confirmed that April Valencia and her boyfriend, Matthew Cuadra, were the two victims who lost their lives in the crash.
Valencia’s sister, Jacky, was also among those injured and remains in critical condition as she continues to receive treatment.
The driver of the Buick was issued a citation for failure to yield while turning left. Police have not announced any further charges at this time.
Video footage from the scene showed significant damage to both vehicles, with parts of the roadway closed for several hours as investigators worked under bright floodlights to document the crash.
The CPD Major Accidents Investigation Unit is leading the inquiry into the collision to determine contributing factors such as speed, impairment, or distracted driving.
This tragic crash has left two young lives cut short and a family devastated. Loved ones have begun organizing community support to help cover medical and funeral expenses as the investigation continues.
Volusia County, Fla. — A 16-year-old boy has died after being found unresponsive in the Indian River during a weekend camping and fishing trip, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities identified the teen as Hunter McKelvin of Paisley. Deputies said he was discovered face-down in the water Saturday morning near a small island east of Maynard May Park in Edgewater.
Members of the group located the teen and immediately began CPR before transporting him by boat to Maynard May Park.
Upon arrival, officers with the Edgewater Police Department and other emergency responders took over life-saving efforts.
McKelvin was then transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased later that morning.
Investigators reported that no visible injuries were observed, and there were no immediate signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances during the initial investigation.
An autopsy has been scheduled as authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.