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October 21, 2007

A Man Dies in a Car Accident Driven By
His Son
report by Ed Vincent

The turn made from Roosevelt does not indicate a high speed
of travel before the turn (no large skidding), however further analysis of the drive down Cuyler gives the impression that the SUV may have been traveling at speeds in excess of 80 mph - before skidding and hitting a multitude of things.

Update Release:
Eric Gomez, the 17-year-old-driver, was charged with one count of reckless homicide and three counts of aggravated DUI. Apparently, he only had a driver’s permit, and not a license. Bond was set at $40,000.

Fatal Car Accident Video Showing Path of Vehicle

About 9:30 p.m. a 98 Ford Explorer reported to have driven west on Roosevelt Road, a higher than normal rate of speed.
There has been no known reason for this high rate of travel, and no reports of fleeing from another vehicle or police has been heard of. There were no reports of anything unusual in the SUV, other than a young driver at a high rate of speed
and not in control of the vehicle.

The SUV with being driven by the 17 year old Gomez
turned onto Cuyler and headed in a north direction.
The vehicle continued at a high rate of speed, perhaps
50 plus miles an hour, when it hit a curb and is believed
to have become airborne for a distance before it hit a
home and turned over. It has not been made known if
either of the passengers was wearing their seat belt or not,
but no one was expelled from the vehicle.

It is felt that the younger Gomez may have been legally
drunk while driving at the high rate of speed and is
responsible for the death of his own father. Alcohol tests
have not been made public yet, but charges are expected
to be placed against the driver for a number of infractions.

Press Release

Auto accident claims one life

    A 48-year-old Melrose Park man died from injuries sustained in a one-car accident on Oak Park’s southeast
side at about 9:30 p.m. last night.

    Agustin Gomez, of the 1500 block of 16th Ave., Melrose Park, was transported to Loyola Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. His body was taken to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy.

    The victim’s 17-year-old son, who was driving the vehicle, was treated for non life-threatening injuries.

    Investigators say the vehicle, a 1998 Ford Explorer, was traveling west on Roosevelt Road and turned north on Cuyler Avenue. The driver apparently lost control of the vehicle while traveling north on Cuyler at a high rate of speed. The vehicle drove over the curb, struck two houses in the 1100 block and a tree before rolling over onto its roof in the intersection of Cuyler Avenue and Fillmore Street.

    Preliminary investigation indicates alcohol may have contributed to the accident. More information will be released as it becomes available. The investigation is continuing.