Dawn Patrol: Park City girl killed in crash
Park City girl, 17, killed in weekend crash
State police continue to investigate a weekend crash on an Interstate 355 ramp that killed a 17-year-old Park City girl. Police said Amber Adams was riding in the passenger seat of a vehicle driven by a 17-year-old from Woodridge when the vehicle cut off a van and struck a semitrailer on the side of the road. The driver and a back seat passenger were also injured in the crash. The driver of the vehicle that girl was in and the truck driver were cited after the crash. Full story.
Geneva community leader dies unexpectedly
A longtime Geneva second-grade teacher and well-known community leader died unexpectedly Saturday night. Friends said Mary Bencini had been feeling ill for a few days and was found unconscious behind the wheel of her car, which had struck a potted plant in front of the historic Pure Oil building. It is believed Bencini passed out before the vehicle crashed. Full story.
Rosement preparing to open entertainment district
Rosemont Mayor Bradley Stephens says not getting a casino in the village was probably the best thing to happen as the town gets ready to open The Park At Rosemont restaurant and entertainment district on the site where the casino was planned for. The first business to open in the 200,000-square-foot district, the Irish Five Roses Pub, opens Wednesday. “We’d like to let them be able to stay in Rosemont and play in Rosemont when it comes to nightfall,” said Mayor Bradley Stephens. Full story.
Driver charged with DUI in crash that killed Cary man, 19
Police are expected to release more information today regarding the condition of a 19-year-old Cary resident who struck a tree in a DUI-related crash early Saturday, killing a 20-year-old passenger in the vehicle. Pedro Atala-Silva of Cary was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not released the name of the driver who suffered severe injuries. The driver has been charged with DUI and additional charges are pending. Full story.
Weather
Not a bad day on tap today. The temperatures will be about 50 degrees as you head out the door, but should climb to a high of about 60 degrees later today. However, the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Day, meaning conditions are ripe for a grass, brush or wild fire to burn out of control if a blaze is sparked. Winds will be sustained at about 25 to 30 mph, with gusts reaching about 40 mph. Plus, low humidity will keep the fire burning without the weather holding it down. So, please, be careful. Full story.
Traffic
Expect delays heading in either direction on I-90 and going east on I-290 this morning. Two accidents in Glen Ellyn have a moderate impact on traffic near Roosevelt Road and Main Street and near Illinois Route 53 and DuPage Boulevard. Drivers should be carfeul on Army Trail Boulevard at Illinois Route 53 because of malfunctioning traffic lights. Also expect some slow traffic heading northbound on South Busse Road at Illinois Route 62 where a sewer collapse is blocking the right lane in Mount Prospect. Officials will be on hand all day replacing the large sewer pipe that collapsed under the street today, so people should use caution around it. Full story.
Rose returns but Bulls blow late lead in New York
The Bulls had the game in the bag, and for the first time this season, blew it, according to Daily Herald beat writer Mike McGraw. It was Derrick Rose’s first game back yesterday versus the New York Knicks and although he scored 29 points, he hit just 8 or 26 shots and had 8 turnovers. The Bulls missed 4 free throws down the stretch while ahead by 3 points, allowing Carmelo Anthony’s 3-pointer to tie the game with 11.2 seconds left. Full story.
Phoenix and Blackhawks both on a roll heading into series
The Blackhawks have a few days to gear up for their opening first-round playoff game versus the Phoenix Coyotes Thursday, and although the team has been rolling as of late, so have the Coyotes. Phoenix has won five games in a row, while the Hawks finished the season 6-1-3 in their final 10 games. The Hawks were 1-2-1 against the Coyotes in the regular season, and Phoenix goalie Mike Smith has been on fire lately, allowing just 2 goals in the last 5 games. Full story.
Samardzija quieting critics
Although it was just one start, Cubs pitcher Jeff Samardzija may have quieted a lot of critics who have argued for years that he’d never be a successful major league pitcher. Samardzija was said to have “willed” his way into the starting rotation with a strong spring, won the No. 3 spot in the rotation and came within an out of a complete game yesterday as the Cubs beat Washington. Samardzija worked 8 innings, gave up 4 hits and 3 runs — 2 were unearned. Full story.