CHICAGO — A Saturday morning family reunion in the Woodlawn neighborhood turned into a nightmare after a pickup truck crashed into an apartment building, leaving four people injured and forcing a family to vacate their home.
The crash occurred around 6:15 a.m. in the 600 block of East Marquette Road, where a Dodge pickup truck careened off the road, knocking over a light pole before slamming into the brick three-flat residence.
‘It Sounded Like an Explosion’
Residents inside the building said they had no warning. Leslie Johnson, who lives on the first floor, described the terrifying impact.
“When I heard the boom, it sounded like an explosion. I started flipping the debris, throwing the debris, trying to get my son,” Johnson said.
Upstairs neighbor Randolph Moran said the crash felt like an earthquake.
“I was getting ready to take a shower, and I heard it. When I came out and looked, I saw the truck,” Moran told reporters.
Children Among the Injured in Family Reunion Chaos
At the time of the crash, eight family members were inside Johnson’s unit — including three grandchildren. Two of them had arrived for a family reunion.
One of them, 12-year-old Jahad Anderson, was buried under debris and required stitches in his back after being taken to Comer Children’s Hospital. Two of Johnson’s sons were also hospitalized.
“My grandson, he’s still at Comer,” Johnson shared. “That family reunion was ruined.”
Driver in Custody, But Identity Remains in Dispute
According to Chicago Police, a female driver was taken into custody at the scene and issued three citations. However, Johnson disputes that claim.
“She wasn’t the driver. It’s a man that’s the driver,” she alleged, stating that she saw a dust-covered man flee the scene with another individual before officers arrived.
Police have not confirmed whether other suspects were involved. The woman taken into custody was also hospitalized in good condition.
Crash Leaves Family Homeless
The crash caused extensive structural damage, and the apartment building has since been boarded up. Johnson and her family are now searching for temporary housing.
“We’re trying to find a place to go now,” she said.
The three other injured victims, including family members and the driver in custody, were all treated at local hospitals and are reported to be in good condition.
Community Safety and Speeding Concerns Rise
Neighbors and local advocates are raising concerns about reckless driving and high-speed crashes in residential neighborhoods like Woodlawn. This incident marks yet another reminder of how vulnerable pedestrians and families are — even inside their own homes.
The light pole knocked off its base suggests the vehicle was moving at high speed, prompting questions about enforcement and road safety improvements along East Marquette Road.
Have you or someone you know been affected by reckless driving in your Chicago neighborhood? Share your story with us in the comments or visit ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com for ongoing coverage of community safety, traffic enforcement, and housing impact across the city.
