Police still investigating fatal Aurora crash
A day after friends and family gathered to mourn the death of a 15-year-old Metea Valley High School student, Aurora police continued to piece together information about the circumstances surrounding the fatal car crash.
Police said Devin Meadows, a 15-year-old sophomore, was riding with three friends early Tuesday morning in a fast-moving Chevrolet Malibu that struck a curb and crashed into a house’s attached garage in the 2700 block of Hamman Way.
Devin, who police say wasn’t wearing a seat belt, flew out of the back seat. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The three other 15-year-olds in the vehicle had minor injuries.
Officials said they don’t believe drugs or alcohol were involved, but on Thursday police crash experts still were investigating what caused the accident.
“We are in the middle of a very thorough investigation into several aspects of the crash,” Lt. Pete Inda said. “Our traffic unit is working on a detailed diagram of the crash and interviewing witnesses. These things take time.”
Investigators have speculated the four teens were “joy-riding or pulling some type of prank,” Inda said, and police are trying to confirm speculation they’ve heard from students that the teens may have been stealing pumpkins from houses with the intention of piling them up in front of a girl’s house.
The 15-year-old driver of his parents’ Malibu was questioned by police and released Tuesday without any charges or citations. Police said charges could be filed at the conclusion of their investigation.
“We’ll begin that process with the (DuPage County) state’s attorney once we have completed the most thorough investigation possible,” Inda said. “We’re just not there yet.”
Inda said police have not discussed possible charges with Meadows’ parents but said they may be consulted after “a proper grieving period for their deceased son.”