2 killed in fiery crash in Chicago's West Loop

Police say the car crashed into a column and caught fire early Sunday morning.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

Two people were killed after their car crashed into a highway support column and caught fire in Chicago's West Loop early Sunday morning. Police responded to the scene around 2:19 a.m. and found the white sedan on fire, with two people inside who had died at the scene. Authorities have not identified the victims.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the dangers of high-speed crashes in urban areas, which can often result in devastating loss of life. The West Loop is a busy commercial district, raising concerns about public safety and the need for improved infrastructure and traffic management in the area.

The details

According to the Chicago Police Department, officers responded to the scene in the 400 block of S. Jefferson St. around 2:19 a.m. and found a white sedan that had crashed into a highway support column and was on fire. Chicago firefighters attempted to put out the blaze, but the two people inside the car had already died at the scene. Major Accident Detectives are investigating the cause of the crash.

  • The incident occurred around 2:19 a.m. on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

The players

Chicago Police Department

The local law enforcement agency investigating the fatal crash.

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What’s next

Major Accident Detectives will continue to investigate the cause of the crash and work to identify the victims.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the need for improved road safety measures and traffic management in Chicago's busy urban areas to prevent such devastating loss of life in the future.