CHICAGO (WLS) — The family of a man who was killed in deadly crashes on I-57 on the city’s South Side earlier this week is speaking out.
Ruben Lujano was one of three people who lost their lives. As his family mourns, they’re also demanding to know more about what led to the crash in the first place.
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In Lujano’s final moments alive, his family says he was out of his car, trying to help others after getting into a crash on I-57. That’s when, witnesses say, a speeding car hit and killed the 50-year-old grandfather and two other men on his daughter’s birthday.
“My father, for as long as I could remember, my 30th birthday would be something I will remember,” his daughter Leylani Padilla said.
A celebration of life, now forever marred by another life taken in a deadly collision.
“It still doesn’t feel real,” Padilla said. “I feel like he’s going to walk through that door any minute, but he’s not.”
Padilla is forced to change her weekend birthday plans to lay her late father to rest.
The 50-year-old was killed early Wednesday morning on Interstate 57 near 120th Street in Calumet Park. It happened after he got into a car crash while driving from work. He got out of his car to help others.
“Unfortunately, his kind heart put him in a situation,” Padilla said. “But, I know that he wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Then, witnesses told ABC7 a speeding car wasn’t far behind.
“They drove over the speed limit at an estimated 85, 100 miles per hour,” his sister Reyna Lujano said.
Illinois State Police said Ruben Lujano, 33-year-old Martese Williams, and another man who has yet to be identified were hit and killed on scene. At least five others were hurt as Lujano’s family demands answers.
“We’ve yet to have any information about what occurred, if anyone’s in custody,” Padilla said.
ABC7 has reached out to Illinois State Police to get an update on this case, but they still wouldn’t say what might’ve caused the deadly crash or if anyone could be charged. In fact, they say they are not releasing any more information, at this time, but are urging witnesses, especially those who might have dash camera footage of the crash, to come forward.
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