Three women died this morning after their car slammed into a lightpole on the Southwest Side, bursting into flames upon impact.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the Chevrolet Monte Carlo crashed in the 3000 block of West 47th Street around 12:30 a.m. It was reportedly speeding before the driver lost control and struck the pole, and police are investigating whether the women were being chased.
Neighbors reportedly heard a loud boom and police told the paper the vehicle was "burnt down to the frame" upon arrival.
NBC Chicago painted a disturbing picture of the crash scene:
A few bystanders who saw the crash rushed to the car, broke a window and tried to rescue the burning women. But the flames were so hot they couldn't complete the extraction.
"It was too late, the lady we seen her moving, it was too late. Her whole left side started burning," said witness George Geuvara.
A source told the Sun-Times that all three women were in their 20s, but their names were not being released by the Medical Examiner's office Friday afternoon.
From the Sun-Times:
There were conflicting witness accounts on whether the car had been chased by -- and possibly struck by -- another vehicle. Police are investigating the crash as a possible hit-and-run, said Officer Ron Gaines.Gaines said additional details about the vehicle and the women who were killed weren't known because the "damage is so severe."
WATCH NBC Chicago's footage of the crash scene here: