Early-morning crash in Auburn Gresham sends car into liquor store

CHICAGO — Two people were hospitalized after a crash at a South Side intersection sent a car barreling into a liquor store early Friday morning.

According to Chicago police, the crashes unfolded just after 1 a.m. in the 1200 block of West 81st Street in Auburn Gresham.

Officers said the chain of events started after a 32-year-old man, who was traveling westbound in a black sedan, allegedly disregarded a traffic control device and crashed into a black SUV at the intersection.

The driver of the black SUV then lost control of their vehicle and eventually crashed into a liquor store.

Officers said both people inside the SUV were injured in the crash and were taken to the hospital where they were listed in fair condition. The driver of the sedan was not injured.

The crash tore a large hole in the side of the building and merchandise sitting on a shelf inside could be seen through the damaged wall.

In an update shared at 2:49 a.m., police said officials from the Chicago Fire Department were waiting for a building inspector to declare that the building was structurally safe.

Citations will be issued accordingly, police said.

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