A tragic incident unfolded in the west suburbs of Oak Park, Illinois, on Friday morning as a series of car crashes resulted in a driver’s fatal self-inflicted gunshot and injuries to at least 14 others, officials reported.
According to the chief communications officer from the village of Oak Park, the chaotic sequence began when the driver, traveling south on Harlem Avenue, ran a red light at the intersection with Lake Street just before 9 a.m.
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The situation escalated when a pedestrian in the crosswalk prompted the driver to veer into the northbound lane. This sudden maneuver led the driver to collide with multiple vehicles, including a Pace bus, as confirmed by local authorities.
In a shocking turn of events, the driver then produced a firearm and shot themselves in the head. Officials confirmed that they were pronounced dead at the scene.
Emergency responders swiftly transported at least 14 people involved in the collisions to area hospitals. Luckily, their injuries are not expected to be life-threatening, and they are anticipated to recover.
As the investigation continues, authorities have not yet released additional details regarding the incident.
This is a developing story. Check back with ABC7 for updates.
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