Fiery Crash Claims Lives of Man and Daughter

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — A 31-year-old man and his daughter were killed early Sunday in a car crash in Chicago Heights. Three of the man's other children survived after being pulled from the car moments before it burst into flames.

A BMW and a black Nissan were involved in the crash around 8 a.m. at Chicago Road and Lincoln Highway. The circumstances behind the crash are not known, but a witness said one of the cars was speeding and ran through a red light, ABC7 reports. The BMW then jumped the curb, coming to rest on the Chicago Heights Veterans Memorial. One witness said the BMW was t-boned.

Three women nearby saw the accident and leapt to help. Elaine Anderson, 48, said the crash "looked like a movie," and she ran to help passengers inside the BMW. They pulled three children from the backseat, and moments later the car burst into flames.

Anderson tried to go back for the driver and another passenger, but was warned the flames were too hot.

"I looked back in horror because you could hear the people yelling for help," Anderson told ABC.

Jose Juan Romero, 31, and his daughter Maritza, died in the crash.

Anderson said she was glad she was able to save the other children. All three were airlifted to Stroger Hospital and are now recovering in the burn unit.

"I don't feel like a hero or nothing," she told ABC. "We helped where we could."

The driver of the Nissan—identified as 41-year-old Bill Brown—was also injured and taken to Stroger Hospital.

The crash is still under investigation.

Photo: ABC7 screenshot