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.
Local News
High-Angle Rescue in Progress After Teen Climbs 900-Foot KSDK TV Transmission Tower in Affton

AFFTON, MO — Emergency crews are conducting a high-angle rescue operation in Affton, Missouri, after a 17-year-old male reportedly climbed nearly 900 feet up a television transmission tower belonging to local station KSDK on Heege Road.
According to officials with the Lemay Fire Protection District, the call for assistance came in around 2:30 p.m. when witnesses reported seeing the teenager scaling the tower.
Responding units from both the Affton Fire Protection District and Lemay Fire Protection District quickly arrived on scene and established a command post at the base of the structure.
Fire officials confirmed that the individual, described as a 17-year-old male, was observed barefoot and positioned approximately 850 feet above the ground.
Authorities say they believe the teen may be under the influence of alcohol or another substance, though that has not been confirmed.
Specialized technical rescue teams are currently coordinating efforts to reach and safely bring the teen down from the tower.
The operation is described as extremely dangerous and complex, given the height and structural conditions.
Law enforcement personnel have secured the surrounding area, and roads near the tower have been closed as a precaution while emergency crews work.
This is a developing situation, and updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.