Streamwood woman killed in Chicago chase

The death of a Streamwood woman in Chicago Monday has been ruled a homicide, police officials said Tuesday.

Teresa Cygan, 57, of the 100 block of Cambridge Avenue, was a passenger in a Hyundai driven by Franciszek Opiela, 57, of Elmwood Park, when it was struck by a black Honda that was fleeing a confrontation with several gang members, Chicago Police Department spokesman Officer Robert Perez said.

The chase began about 5:15 a.m. Sunday, Perez said, when a car carrying five men and two women pulled up next to the black Honda at the intersection of Fullerton and Keeler avenues.

The men and women from the vehicle began shouting gang slogans at the black Honda, then one pulled out a handgun and fired.

“The female driver of the Honda floored it trying to get away from the gang members to save their lives, ignoring several traffic control devices along the way,” Perez said. “Throughout it all, they were being pursued by the car with the gang members.”

Still being chased, the Honda turned north onto Kostner Avenue, drove through a red light at Diversey Avenue and slammed into the Hyundai carrying Cygan. The impact sent the Hyundai into a building, while the Honda hit a streetlight, Perez said.

The car with the suspected gang members sped away after the crash, authorities said.

Opiela also died from injuries suffered in the crash. The Cook County medical examiner's office ruled the deaths as homicides Monday.

Two occupants of the Honda were taken to Illinois Masonic Hospital, Perez said. Their condition is unknown.

Police recovered shell casings while investigating the collision, Perez said. The investigation continues, he said, and no charges have been brought yet.