Two vans in 47th St fatality, but only one hit victim

La Grange police have determined that two vehicles were involved in the accident that claimed the life of a Countryside woman who was struck Tuesday morning while crossing 47th St with her two small children. But only one of the vehicles hit the victim, police said.

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Police Lt. Chris Noel said today it was uncertain if any charges would be filed against an unidentified woman who was driving eastbound and struck Cari Cook, a 30-year-old mother, as she was lifting her children's stroller onto the southside curb of 47th St near 8th Ave. Cook was in the southern outside lane of the four-lane roadway.

A second vehicle involved in the accident also was traveling eastbound in the inner lane alongside the first vehicle. Noel said the first vehicle sideswiped the second one, possibly as its driver attempted to avoid striking Cook.

Full results of an investigation La Grange police are conducting in conjunction with Illinois State Police and the State's Attorney's office will not be available until next week, Noel said.

In the early stages of the investigation police had explored the possibility that Cook had been struck by two different vehicles, based on accounts provided by witnesses to the accident. There also had been a report that one vehicle left the scene without stopping. But neither scenario was supported by the evidence, Noel said.

He added that there were no indications that the drivers involved were impaired by alcohol or drugs, nor was there evidence that either driver was distracted by using a cell phone or other device at the time of the accident.

Radio station WBBM reported today that Cook's sister, Maggie Stevens, "believes the 45-year-old woman who was driving the vehicle that hit Cari must have been distracted by something [and] wants answers about the accident." 

Noel said the driver whose vehicle struck Cook stopped immediately after hitting Cook and provided assistance.

Cook was transported to Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital where she died from her injuries at 1:20 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.

Cook's four-month-old son, Carson, who was secured in a front baby carrier worn by his mother, was treated for a fractured leg. Her two-year-old daughter, Ellie, who was seated in the stroller, escaped harm in the accident.

Police at this time would not identify the makes or models of the vehicles involved, but the vehicle that struck Cook was described as a gray minvan by Jeff Madix, who resides in the home on the southeast corner of 47th St and 8th Ave where the accident occurred. Madix also described the second vehicle as a full-sized commercial van with a rack on its roof.

Madix said he did not witness the accident but arrived home only minutes later as police and rescue workers were responding.

Madix said Tuesday's accident was the second time a traffic-related fatality has happened literally on his doorstep since he and his wife, Cheri, moved into their home nearly 25 years ago.

In the late-1980's, a girl riding a bicycle on the sidewalk across 47th St from their house was struck and killed by a car when she suddenly veered down a driveway onto the road's westbound lanes, Madix said.

The girl's lifeless body landed at the foot of Madix's own driveway, mere feet from the spot where Cari Cook lay dying Tuesday.

Click here to read full coverage of both the accident and the aftermath.

Comments

[Jenna and Sal]

That lady should be so ashamed of her careless driving that took the life of the most perfect mom you would ever meet- That lady was much older and should have been the one to die. I hope that scum rots in hell- I hope her kids know what she has done. I also hope that scum women knows the horrible life the victims kids have to live because of her actions. I hope she pays for the rest of her life-

[JoAnne]

Have there been any updates to this horrific accident?

[Friend]

Dear Jenna and Sal:

Did it ever occur to you that it WAS a horrific ACCIDENT? Why would you wish such horrible things on someone? Do you even know what happened? Were you there? Have you no compassion? Has it occurred to you that the people involved in the accident DO have to live with it every day??? That their hearts break for the family of this poor woman??? I guess not. Think about it before you are so quick to judge.

[Anonymous]

Friend: how do you explain that this woman wasn't distracted. Cari (and she always wore bright colors) was walking with her baby, a giant stoller and a dog. How do you miss that?? If she was doing the freaking speed limit, Cari probably wouldn't be dead.
I agree with Jenna and Sal, I hope this woman rots.

[John H]

I do not understand how the woman could not have seen/felt the Cari but I do understand it was an accident hence the fact cell phones/alcohol/drugs etc. were not the cause...We may never now why it happened but God must have wanted Cari to accompany him in heaven. Also Jenna&Sal you are horrible to be saying such things, would Cari think the same? I don't think so. Cook family stay strong.

[Anonymous]

John H, you haven't the first clue or fact in your comment about anything. Don't pretend like you know anything about the situation or about her.

[Mary]

The hate isn't helping anyone. Please lend your support to the Cook family in a more constructive way.

[J.]

We've all been distracted at one time or another! I pray for both families.

[Mom/Driver]

We can all keep speculating about what happened, but the fact is: Cari is gone. Now, we can do something positive and constructive in her memory or we can keep slinging these hateful thoughts to eachother. Let's keep Cari's memory alive and do something constructive. Let's work to keep other mothers and children safe.

[Ergo Baby Carrier]

That lady should be so ashamed of her careless driving that took the life of the most perfect mom you would ever meet- That lady was much older and should have been the one to die. I hope that scum rots in hell- I hope her kids know what she has done.