Four killed, four injured in auto accident

A two-car collision on Chicago's southwest side killed four people this morning and left five others seriously injured, authorities said.

Three family members -- 28-year-olds Otis Jolliff and Theodore Jolliff and 46-year-old Otis Thomas -- were killed when their Toyota Camry was struck by a Crown Victoria that crossed the center line into oncoming traffic.

The men were returning from work at McCormick Place, family members said.

"They were three of the best people society could know," said relative Marvin Anderson. "They were just great people and now they are gone."

The driver of the Crown Victoria, 20-year-old Sir Albert Cole, was also killed, authorities said.

Investigators believe Cole may have been drunk, said police Lt. Gerald Koch.

But speed was a factor and authorities were awaiting the result of a toxicology test before determining if alcohol was to blame, said police spokesman Marcel Bright.

The injured included a 2-year-old boy, 20-year-old man, 21-year-old man, 21-year-old woman and 23-year-old woman who were reportedly in critical and stable condition.

"It looks like it was a head-on collision, but both cars are so mangled that it's hard to tell for sure," said Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford.