4 Suburban Teens Killed After Vehicle Plunges From Chicago Bridge, Hits Train

CHICAGO — A 14-year-old Palatine girl who was critically injured when a vehicle plunged from a bridge and struck a train car has died, bringing the number of fatalities from the Sunday crash to four.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victims as:

• Vanessa Morales, 14, of Palatine
• Yaritza Martinez Villeda, 17, of Crystal Lake
• Yuarem Garcia-Pena, 18, of Woodstock
• Cristofer Lopez Montan, 19, of Woodstock

Morales was initially taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in critical condition after the crash. Chicago police initially reported that two males and one female died at the scene.

RELATED: 3 Killed When Vehicle Drives Off Bridge, Striking Train Below

The vehicle left the roadway at about 2:16 a.m. July 26, and struck a train boxcar below a bridge in the 6900 block of South Cicero Avenue, just blocks from Chicago Midway International Airport.

Crash Followed Attempted Traffic Stops

The incident began after Chicago police responded to a report in the 22nd District from a person who said someone inside a vehicle had pointed a gun at them.

Officers found a vehicle matching the description and attempted to stop it, police said. When the driver did not stop, officers began a pursuit but quickly terminated it.

Illinois State Police later spotted the same vehicle and attempted another traffic stop in the 5500 block of South Cicero Avenue.

The driver initially stopped but sped away as state police began conducting the traffic-stop investigation, according to Chicago police.

State police broadcast over police radio that the vehicle was fleeing, and Chicago officers responded to assist.

While traveling at a high speed, the vehicle left the roadway and struck the train boxcar, police said.

Patch previously reported that three occupants were pronounced dead at the scene and that the fourth had been hospitalized with critical injuries.

No other injuries were reported.

Investigation Continues

The Chicago Police Department's Investigative Response Team is handling the investigation.

Police have not said which occupant was driving, whether a firearm was recovered or whether investigators believe the vehicle involved in the crash was the same one described in the initial gun complaint beyond matching its description.

The medical examiner's records list the four victims as residents of Palatine, Crystal Lake and Woodstock. Autopsies were scheduled, but causes and manners of death had not yet been released.

This is a developing story. Additional information will be added as it becomes available.