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.
Three young lives were tragically lost in a fiery head-on collision early Wednesday morning, November 4, 2026, on Highway 158 near Happy Hill Road in Stokesdale, Guilford County, North Carolina.
Authorities have identified the victims as 16-year-old Baisley, 22-year-old Saige Richardson, and 27-year-old Tyler Robinson. Their deaths have left three families grieving an unimaginable loss and have deeply saddened those who knew and loved them.
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred shortly after 2 a.m. when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collided head-on along Highway 158.
The force of the impact caused both vehicles to catch fire. Emergency responders arrived at the scene, but all three individuals involved in the collision were pronounced dead at the location.
The victims were identified as Baisley, Saige Richardson, and Tyler Robinson. They were 16, 22, and 27 years old, respectively. Each had a life of their own, with relationships, hopes, and plans for the future. Their sudden deaths have left loved ones facing a devastating reality.
Following the collision, Highway 158 was closed for several hours as emergency crews and investigators worked at the scene. The roadway reopened at approximately 5:35 a.m.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. The cause of the collision has not yet been determined, and officials have not released further details about what may have led to the two vehicles striking each other.
The deaths of Baisley, Saige Richardson, and Tyler Robinson are a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly lives can change. At just 16, 22, and 27, all three had so much life ahead of them. Their loss will be felt most deeply by their families, friends, and everyone whose lives they touched.
For their loved ones, the days ahead will bring the difficult task of navigating grief while holding on to the memories of those they have lost. Three families are now left with an absence that words cannot fully describe.
As the investigation continues, thoughts remain with the families and friends of Baisley, Saige Richardson, and Tyler Robinson. May they find strength, comfort, and support during this painful time.
May Baisley, Saige Richardson, and Tyler Robinson rest in eternal peace.