2 charged in Sunday’s fatal crash in Oak Lawn
By Bob Bong
A Harvey man and a Chicago woman have been charged in Sunday’s four-vehicle fatal crash at 110th Street and Cicero Avenue in Oak Lawn.
Steven Bradford, 39, of Harvey, and Joann McNary, 32, of Chicago, were each charged with one count of aggravated DUI involving death, and one count of reckless homicide.
Police said both Bradford and McNary were directly involved in the crash that killed Anita Chacon, 66, of Calumet Park and critically injured her son, Tomas Chacon, 30. Tomas Chacon remains hospitalized in critical condition with life-threatening injuries.
Police said a 2019 Dodge Charger driven by Bradford and a 2014 Honda Accord driven by McNary were speeding down Cicero Avenue about 1:50 a.m. on August 21 when the accident took place.
A preliminary police investigation found that the Charger struck the rear of a Lincoln the Chacons were traveling in that was also traveling south on Cicero, forcing the Lincoln into the northbound lanes near 110th Street, where it struck a Ram pickup truck head-on. Anita Chacon was killed in the crash.
Police said that after striking the Lincoln, the Charger came to a stop near 110th and Cicero. The speeding Honda Accord left the roadway near 109th and Cicero and hit a bench, causing the vehicle to roll over numerous times before coming to a stop in a parking lot at 110th and Cicero.
Tomas Chacon was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center along with the female driver of the Ram pickup truck and the female driver of the Accord. The two women were treated and released.
Two male passengers in the Ram pickup were not injured in the crash.
Bradford was taken into custody at the scene.
Bradford and McNary were due at the Bridgeview Courthouse on Tuesday for a bond hearing.
The family of Anita Chacon has started a gofundme campaign to raise money for her funeral expenses as well as medical expenses for her son.
According to the campaign, Anita and Tomas had spent the evening together before their car was hit.
As of Tuesday morning, the fund had raised more than $3,000 toward a goal of $20,000.
“Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers for our family,” said Anita Chacon’s niece, Rosi Contreras, who is organizing the fundraiser.
To make a donation, visit “Anita Chacon and Tomas Chacon” on GoFundMe.
Local News
Area sports roundup: Cougars fall to national power; area golfers swing to sectionals
St. Xavier has proven to be a solid top-15 football team in the country in NAIA play, but the Cougars need a little more work when playing with top-5 opponents. Cougars coach Mike Feminis didn’t sugarcoat things when he said his team took “a good old-fashioned butt whipping from an outstanding team,” after the visiting…
Nazareth’s ground game dominates vs. St. Rita
Quarterback Logan Malachuk and the other skill players at Nazareth draw most of the attention and deservedly so. After all, the Roadrunners have piled up 206 points through the first six games of the season, a 34.3 average. But after Nazareth’s 45-21 CCL/ESCC Green victory at St. Rita in Week 6, it was the five…
Mike Walsh’s Football Top 10, Week 7
1. MARIST (5-1) Last week: Beat Providence 28-7 This week: at St. Ignatius Comment: Running back John McAuliffe and quarterback Jacob Ritter accounted for two TDs each in a strong victory over Providence. 2. LYONS (6-0) Last week: Beat Oak Park-River Forest 49-14 This week: at Downers Grove North Comment: West Suburban Silver supremacy on…
Girls volleyball roundup: Mother McAuley beats Marist to take third in ASICS
Mother McAuley’s chance for a three-peat of winning the ASICS Challenge was halted in the semifinals. But the third-place match was no disappointment. The host Mighty Macs took third in the tournament by beating rival Marist for the second time in 10 days, 25-20, 25-19 on Oct. 5. The two teams met on Sept. 26…
Cross country: Solorio’s unique venue a hit with runners
Come over the bridge spanning the west branch of the lagoon at the Marquette Park Golf Course on the way from the ninth green and make a left. While making the final kick down the left side of the No. 1 hole, there are trees on the left that have leaves beginning to change colors.…
Lake Katherine pays tribute to endangered Monarchs
The ever-popular Monarch made its appearance once again at Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanical Gardens during a weekend long, Monarch Celebration. The 31st annual Monarch Celebration honored the exquisite Monarch, right at the nature center, 7402 Lake Katherine Drive, Palos Heights, and was held on September 21 and September 22. Judy Splayt, of Tinley…
‘Selma’s Sweets Run 4 Peace’ 5K at Moraine Valley Community College
Selma’s Sweets Run 4 Peace 5k at Moraine Valley Community College gathered over 1,000 attendees for Palestine Child Relief Fund. “When I think about PCRF’s first inauguration nearly 11 years ago, we had a great group by far, but this is the largest group I’ve seen attend this event. Congratulations,” said Mayor Gerald Bennett. Runners…
Pets rule at Orland Township’s Palooza
In 2010, Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady, with the help of his own family, expanded the Orland Township Food Pantry and created the Orland Township Pet Pantry. He called it, “Crashy’s Closet,” which was named after O’Grady’s beloved rescue cat. Today, “Crashy’s Closet” has helped many residents ease the burden of owning a pet, maintaining…
Starbucks opens on former vacant lot in West Lawn
A new Starbucks opened last week in Chicago’s West Lawn community on a lot that had been vacant for 40 years. Groundbreaking for the newest Starbucks took place in March at 6413 S. Cicero Ave. and was led by Mayor Brandon Johnson and 13th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn. The lot was a former gas station…
Comings & Goings: Fogo de Chao coming to Orland Park
Fogo de Chao, the Brazilian steak house known for servers carrying slabs of meat on long skewers from table to table, announced last week that it had signed a lease to open a new restaurant in Orland Park. The new location at 15407 S. LaGrange Road would be the chain’s fifth Chicagoland restaurant. The 6,791-square-foot…
Neighbors
Oak Lawn United Methodist Church to open Pumpkin Patch this weekend
Every year about now, the First United Methodist Church of Oak Lawn celebrates the season by trucking in thousands of orange gourds for its Pumpkin Patch. People look forward to the return of the Pumpkin Patch, which this year runs from October 13 to October 31 on the church grounds at 100th Street and Central…
Worth Fall Fest ushers in the season
Fall is in the air. The Worth Park District welcomed the season with its annual Fall Fest on Sunday, Oct. 6, at Gale Moore Park, 109th Street and Nordica Avenue, Worth. “Getting everyone out in the community to enjoy what we offer makes me really happy,” said Stephanie Analitis, superintendent of recreation for the Worth…
Palos Park’s Walsh skates for injured first responders at 911 Cup
Palos Park Officer Sean Walsh spent this past weekend in Las Vegas with his skates laced up and participating in the Las Vegas 911 Cup. The 911 cup is a fundraising event supporting police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and EMTs injured in the line of duty. Officer Walsh’s hockey team, Level Zero Heros, played teams…
Chicago man charged in Oak Lawn carjacking
A Chicago man has been charged with carjacking a vehicle from a female teenager in the parking lot of the Jewel-Osco at 8801 S. Ridgeland Ave. on Sept. 28, police said. Police said a female teenager was parked and sitting inside her vehicle in the Jewel-Osco parking lot when a man with dreadlocks, wearing a…
Herpich family’s epic Halloween decorations aim to scare
Care and Rick Herpich moved to Oak Lawn in 2001 with their son, Jake. It was then that the family began what would become an elaborate Halloween tradition, with their display growing more frightening each year. It is now known in the neighborhood as the Krazy Korner. Over the past two decades, the Herpich family’s…
Evergreen Park approves disaster prevention plan
The threat that hazards and disasters pose to residents and property has been recognized by Evergreen Park officials. A resolution was approved by a 6-0 margin during the Evergreen Park Village Board meeting Monday night, acknowledging the importance of reducing or eliminating vulnerability to disasters. The U.S. Congress passed the Disaster Mitigation Act on Oct.…
After 63 years, Petey’s Bungalow in Oak Lawn prepares for last supper
After 63 years, a popular Oak Lawn restaurant will close its doors for the last time. Petey’s Bungalow Restaurant and Lounge, 4401 W. 95th St., will cease operations after Tuesday, Oct. 15. The restaurant, a local fixture known as a classic supper club, has been at the same location since 1961. In a Facebook post,…
Local aldermen rip mayor over ShotSpotter cancellation
After the Chicago City Council passed an ordinance giving Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling the authority to extend ShotSpotter technology, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s February 2024 promise to turn off the monitors set up a battle with a majority of aldermen. Three Southwest Side aldermen spoke to the Greater Southwest News-Herald about why ShotSpotter technology should…
Palos United Methodist Church hosts pet blessing
It was a lively occasion as a pair of Great Danes, a cat named Gus, and an elderly Beagle-Lab mix named Seamus were among the four-legged attendees gathered Sunday afternoon, Oct. 6, at Palos United Methodist Church for the annual pet blessing celebrating the Feast of St. Francis. Pastor Caitlyn Nesbit led the ceremony at…
Orland Park names interim village manager and assistant
Orland Park Assistant Village Manager Jim Culotta will take over as the interim village manager and former police deputy chief Brian West will take his place as interim assistant. The board of trustees made those decisions during the Oct. 7 meeting in the wake of village manager George Koczwara’s resignation after his contact was set…
