A late-night crash on Chicago’s West Side sent three people to the hospital Saturday.
An 11-month-old baby girl was among those caught in the wreckage.
Chicago police say the incident began at the intersection of Damen Avenue and Washington Boulevard.
At approximately 9:19 p.m., a 32-year-old woman was driving a sedan near the intersection.
Police reported that the woman drove through a red light without stopping.
Her vehicle struck a CTA bus traveling through the intersection.
The force of the impact caused the bus driver to lose control.
The massive city bus careened off the roadway and into a nearby apartment building.
Witnesses described a scene of chaos as the bus struck the brick structure.
The building sustained what police described as minor damage during the collision.
Emergency responders arrived quickly to treat those involved in the crash.
The 32-year-old driver of the sedan was transported to Stroger Hospital.
An 11-month-old baby girl was a passenger in her vehicle at the time.
The infant suffered minor injuries and was also taken to Stroger Hospital for evaluation.
A 59-year-old man who was riding the CTA bus was also injured.
Paramedics took the man to Stroger Hospital, where he is expected to recover.
Police confirmed that the driver of the sedan has been issued a citation for the incident.
Investigators are still looking into the exact circumstances of the Saturday night wreck.
Recent History
This intersection near the United Center is known for heavy traffic during weekend events.
The Near West Side has seen a rise in “red light” related collisions over the last year.
Residents in the area have frequently called for increased traffic enforcement at Damen and Washington.
Last summer, a similar crash occurred just blocks away involving a ride-share vehicle.
CTA buses are frequent targets in these collisions due to the high volume of routes on the West Side.
Building strikes are particularly dangerous in this neighborhood due to the density of older residential structures.
The Chicago Department of Transportation has been reviewing safety measures for this specific corridor.
However, driver error remains the leading cause of accidents in the 12th District.
This crash serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by distracted or reckless driving in residential zones.
The structural integrity of the apartment building will likely be inspected by city officials today.
