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Chicago Teen Charged With Reckless Homicide and Aggravated DUI in 2024 Bronzeville Crash That Killed Two

The arrest comes more than a year after the red-light collision outside police headquarters.

Overview

  • Erick Garcia-Ambriz, 19, was arrested at his Archer Heights home and charged with two counts of reckless homicide and two counts of aggravated DUI.
  • Police say he ran a red light at 35th Street and Michigan Avenue around 1:30–1:40 a.m. on Oct. 14, 2024, T-boning a 2023 Chevrolet that flipped onto a sidewalk near Chicago Police Headquarters.
  • The Chevrolet's driver, Kalieb Ghebreyesus, 45, and passenger, Shanika Smith, 45, were pronounced dead at University of Chicago Medical Center.
  • Reporting cites a measured blood-alcohol content of 0.124%, which exceeds Illinois’ 0.08% legal limit.
  • Garcia-Ambriz received traffic citations shortly after the crash as the investigation continued, and he is scheduled for a pretrial detention hearing on Wednesday.