2 killed, 3 injured in crash along Bishop Ford Freeway in Pullman

CHICAGO — An investigation by Illinois State Police is underway on Thursday morning following a crash along the Bishop Ford Freeway that left three people dead and three others injured. Troopers said the crash unfolded around 1:15 a.m. along I-94 near 111th Street in Pullman. According to troopers, the crash only involved one car that overturned along the freeway. Troopers said following the crash, two of the vehicle's passengers were pronounced dead on the scene. Three others were taken to the hospital, where they were listed in critical condition. Family members later identified the victims killed in the crash as members of the Empire Dance Team. By around 6 a.m. Thursday, a group of family and friends had gathered near the crash site. Among them was Latisha Waters, the CEO of the Empire Dance Institute. "They all was out having a good time, coming from, I don't know if it was the bowling alley or not, but they was actually on their way home," Waters said. "I don't know how, like, they lost control. Somebody said a car hit them, somebody said something fell on the window. I honestly don't know that part." One of the victims was identified by his mother as 17-year-old Boaz Flemister. She described him as someone who was loved by everyone. He had a good personality, a smart mouth, like any teenager would be. But he was, everybody loved him. He was very passionate about what he believed in he cared for people. He cared what people thought. He was just a good kid," Flemister's mother, Angela Hongo, said. Because of the crash, crews have shut down all northbound lanes of the freeway, and traffic is currently being diverted onto 115th Street. It is unclear how long the closures will remain in place.