Update x4: Hit-Run Devon and Western Kills THREE

FINAL UPDATE: THREE DEAD: "Adams Oshana said he was in a nearby Dunkin' Donuts on Rosemont Avenue and Western when someone told him about the crash. He later identified his brother's body at the scene and walked away crying." (Source: Chicago Breaking News) NOTE: As of 2:21 a.m. Tuesday, only Chicago News Bench is reporting that three people are dead as a result of the Western-Devon crash. The two victims that were taken to St. Francis Hospital in Evanstion died around midnight (see Update x2, below...) UPDATE x1: At 10:38 p.m. on Monday, May 4, a 911 call was made to Chicago emergency dispatch about a hit-and-run involving at least three pedestrians at N. Western and W. Devon. Based on a call from a Chicago News Bench reader, and on our own scanning of police frequencies, at least two victims were taken to St. Francis Hospital in nearby Evanston. It is believed, but unconfirmed by CNB, that there may have been a third victim, who died at the accident scene. (See final update at top of this post.) UPDATE x2: At 12:08 a.m. Tuesday, a CPD officer at St. Francis Hospital said on his radio that "both victims" at St. Francis Hospital were "just pronounced" (pronounced dead). As of midnight, the southbound lanes 6300 block of N. Western were still closed for the investigation. UPDATE x3: At 1:15 a.m. Tuesday, 05 May, police re-opened the closed southbound lanes of the 6300 block of N. Western Avenue as the major accident investigation comes to a close. We have not yet heard whether the driver of the hit-and-run vehicle has been caught, but it is believed that the accident may have been recorded on a nearby camera. CommieBama Hats and More Chicago News Bench RSS Feed Follow ChiNewsBench on Twitter

HIT-RUN KILLS THREE AT DEVON AND WESTERN

EXCLUSIVE - Updated 2:27 a.m., May 5: The hit-and-run accident at Devon and Western claimed three lives (Chicago Breaking News is saying two dead, one at the scene on at the hospital, but they didn't hear a CPD officer call out that "both victims pronounced" dead at 12:08 a.m.) A car struck three pedestrians just after 10:30 p.m. on Monday at the intersection of N. Western and W. Devon in Chicago. Two victims were taken to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, where they were pronounced dead just after midnight. (Source: 24th District police frequency 460.375) A third victim died at the scene of the accident. ALSO SEE: Update x3: Car Hits Pedestrians, Runs From Devon and Western CommieBama Hats and More Chicago News Bench RSS Feed Follow ChiNewsBench on Twitter

Bad Intersections, Ald. Stone, Ald Moore Don't Care

The aldermen in Chicago's 49th and 50th wards seem to not care about the safety of bikers, pedestrians or motorists. To wit: Rogers Park (east) sits along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. It is ruled over by 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore. For years, the intersection of W. Pratt and N. Greenview, in Moore's ward and right in front of a school, has been dangerous. The vast majority of motorists driving westbound on Pratt do not stop at the clearly visible stop sign. This includes CTA buses and trucks of all kind, and it happens day and night, rain or shine. I've had a video posted to this blog since December, 2006 which shows vehicle after vehicle blowing the sign. Moore has done nothing about it. Is he waiting for a group of school children to die before he takes proactive measures? West Ridge is ruled over by 50th Ward Alderman Berny Stone, who seems to care about traffic safety about as much as Joe Moore does. Rogers Parka blog's Jackie recounts when she was struck by a vehicle in February, 2007 in Stone's ward, at the intersection of N. Western and W. Granville. While crossing Western, I was hit by a car traveling east on Granville.... he struck me on my right knee and I went flying onto the ground. At least, the driver.... stopped and helped me right myself.... I sustained a small (but very painful) fracture and, for three weeks, hobbled around in deep snow. On crutches! .... I emailed Bernard Stone's office about my accident, and told them to consider putting a red light camera at that intersection. The response? "A camera isn't necessary." So that was the end of that conversation. I suppose that something will be done... after a pedestrian is killed! Full Post... Jackie was not asking for anything for herself. She was asking a city council member to consider a way to make an intersection safer. According to Jackie, Ald. Stone didn't seem to give it any consideration. Ah, Chicago, the city that works. When the aldermen want it to, that is. CommieBama Hats and More Chicago News Bench RSS Feed Follow ChiNewsBench on Twitter!

Traffic Signal Needed, Joe Moore Silent

Thirteen months ago, The Bench posted a video (below) proving that the stop sign in front of a grade school is rarely obeyed. There has never been a traffic light at the intersection of W. Pratt and N. Greenview. Joe Moore has been alderman for 16 years, and he's done nothing about it. As of today, that video has gotten over 5,800 views on YouTube. Moore's people have seen it. Moore's office is aware of the dangerous intersection. Moore's office has done nothing about it. Ald. Moore's recent announcement of a traffic light to be installed on Clark Street, therefore, is a cynical and hypocritical gesture. He either doesn't care about the safety of the children crossing through Pratt & Greenview or he's a moron. Or both, maybe.