Tragedy struck in the South Loop area of Chicago as a woman lost her life after being struck by a FedEx truck on Monday afternoon, according to city officials.
Police reported that around 2:20 p.m., a box truck traveling west was preparing to turn north onto Wabash at the 1100-block of South Wabash. Meanwhile, a woman was crossing the street from west to east in the designated crosswalk. Eyewitness Carmelita Caldwell stated that the woman was using a walker during the crossing. Regrettably, the truck collided with the woman, and she became trapped under the vehicle.
Carmelita Caldwell, who witnessed the incident, expressed her distress, saying, “She was underneath, and I couldn’t hold myself. I got sick, so I – and then, I called 911.”
Emergency services rushed the victim to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition, but sadly, she was pronounced dead. The Cook County Medical Examiner identified the woman as 72-year-old Marsha Frankel, despite initial reports stating her age to be in her 60s.
An investigation is currently being conducted by the Major Accidents unit. The 31-year-old driver of the FedEx truck underwent a breathalyzer test at the scene and did not receive any citations.
Caldwell referred to the incident as a “freak accident” but expressed heartfelt sympathy for the victim and her family.
In response to the tragic crash, FedEx released a statement expressing their deepest sympathies to the grieving family and friends. They emphasized their commitment to safety and confirmed their full cooperation with the ongoing investigation conducted by the authorities.