A 20-year-old South Side man was driving his 2-year-old cousin home as a favor to other family members when the car slammed into a viaduct early today, killing both of them.
Gustave Tucker Jr. had offered to take Armaria Thompson to her home after the girl had spent some time at a cousin's house Wednesday, said Tucker's father, Gustave Tucker Sr.
Tucker crashed the Cadillac into a concrete column near Dauphin Avenue and 107th Street about 2:15 a.m., police said.
Chicago firefighters removed Tucker and paramedics performed CPR on him at the scene. Two witnesses said they removed the little girl and took her to a nearby apartment until paramedics arrived.
David Matthews, 29, a graphic designer, said he was sitting at his computer when he heard a loud boom. After calling 911, he went outside and saw the car smashed against the viaduct. He said the car was crushed all the way to the back seat.
Terrance Bertrand was driving nearby when he saw the Cadillac under the viaduct.
"I saw a car parked in the middle of the viaduct, but when I pulled up I saw a man lying in the driver's seat," Bertrand told WGN-Ch.9. "I think he was dead. And then as I checked, I saw a baby in the back seat."
Bertrand grabbed the girl's legs while Matthews took hold of the girl's arms and they managed to slip the girl out the passenger side back window.
Matthews said he took the girl to his house, where he laid her on his guest bed. She was gasping for air, he said.
Emergency crews arrived two minutes later, Matthews said. He took the girl out to them and they tried to recusitate her, he said.
The girl and her cousin were rushed to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where they were pronounced dead.
Armaria's mother said the girl loved to dance and sing. Armaria was "the only thing in life I had to live for. Now I can't get it back," said Ashley Thompson.
Tucker, of the 6400 block of South Carpenter Street, had left his home earlier Wednesday night to take a cousin to O'Hare, his father said. On the way back, they stopped at another cousin's house, where Tucker was given the keys to the Cadillas and was asked to take the girl home, Tucker said.
Tucker's father said the early morning errand was typical of the role he played in the family. Tucker was often asked to take care of the children, and often did favors for them.
Tucker was quiet, had few friends and stayed at home.
--Daarel Burnette II