Tragic Night in Bridgeport: Two Young Women Lose Their Lives in Fiery Crash Near Rate Field
CHICAGO, IL — A tragic accident near Rate Field in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood has left two young women dead and two men injured, sending shockwaves through the community and devastating the families of those involved. The crash occurred at approximately 9:15 p.m. Sunday along the 300 block of West 35th Street, just blocks away from the home of the Chicago White Sox.
According to Chicago police, a red sedan traveling eastbound on 35th Street lost control for reasons still under investigation. Witnesses reported hearing the squeal of tires moments before the vehicle crossed the median and was violently struck by an oncoming black SUV heading westbound. The impact crushed the front of both vehicles, scattering debris across multiple lanes and drawing immediate attention from nearby residents and passing motorists.
Emergency responders arrived within minutes, finding the sedan’s occupants — two women, ages 24 and 21 — trapped inside. Firefighters with the Chicago Fire Department used hydraulic rescue tools to extricate them as paramedics worked to stabilize the victims. Both women were transported urgently to Stroger Hospital, where they were pronounced dead shortly after arrival, officials confirmed.
Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims pending family notification. However, friends gathered near the crash site Monday morning, leaving flowers, candles, and handwritten notes. One memorial note read, “Gone too soon. You were both so full of life and laughter.”
The two men traveling in the black SUV were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. While shaken and injured, both are expected to survive. Initial reports suggest the SUV had the right of way and was unable to avoid the red sedan as it careened across the median into its lane.
Investigators from the Major Accident Investigation Unit spent several hours at the scene, photographing skid marks, examining the road surface, and documenting evidence that could explain why the red sedan lost control. Preliminary findings point toward excessive speed, though authorities have not ruled out other contributing factors such as mechanical failure, road conditions, or driver impairment.
The crash left a somber mark on the usually quiet Bridgeport neighborhood. Residents said the stretch of 35th Street where the collision occurred has long been a concern due to frequent speeding and heavy weekend traffic. “It’s a dangerous curve, especially late at night when people are trying to beat the lights,” said Anthony Morales, a nearby resident who witnessed the aftermath.
One witness, who asked not to be identified, described seeing the red sedan weaving through traffic moments before the crash. “It looked like they were going too fast,” the witness said. “Then there was this huge bang — and silence. It was awful.”
City officials have not yet commented on whether new safety measures will be considered in the wake of the accident, but many residents are calling for speed cameras or additional traffic-calming efforts in the area.
As the investigation continues, the families of the two young women face an unbearable reality — the loss of two vibrant lives with futures ahead of them. Friends describe them as hardworking, close companions who were likely returning home from an evening out when tragedy struck.
The Chicago Police Department has asked anyone with dashcam footage or information about the vehicles’ movements before the crash to contact detectives at (312) 745-4521 or submit tips anonymously to CPDtip.com.
For now, the crash site remains a painful reminder of how quickly lives can change. The glow of candles flickering against the cold November night speaks volumes — a silent vigil for two women whose stories ended too soon on a quiet Bridgeport street.
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