The two-car collision took place around 8:15 a.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Austin and Sunnyside in Jefferson Park. The crash left one of the cars pinned against a pole. Inside that car was Claudia Delia, 35, and her 16-year-old son Bryan. Both were pronounced dead at Lutheran General Hospital, relatives say.
"He just liked to have fun. He loved to laugh and smile. He loved to hang out with his friends and his brother," said Mark Delia, Bryan's father.
"She loved everyone. She'd do anything for her kids. She loved us all. She made so many sacrifices for all of us throughout the years," said Giovanni Delia, son and brother.
"Claudia is the most beautiful and special person I ever met. I adored her, honestly," said Steve Marvin, Claudia Delia's fiance.
Marvin and Delia's 2-year-old son Hawk was also in the car. The toddler, he says, suffered a broken leg.
"I'm devastated, I really am. It's going to be a tough road for me and a tough road for Hawk. We're going to be strong together because I know Claudia is looking down, you know," said Marvin.
Also in the car were Marvin's other son, who is 15, and Bryan Delia's 16-year-old best friend. Both, relatives say, are expected to survive.
"There were a couple people out here who tried to open the door, but the doors were just too pinned together, and there was nothing we could have done," said Roberto Rodriguez, witness.
Relatives say the family was headed to Wisconsin Dells Tuesday.
"We all were supposed to meet up at my dad's house, and they never showed and they never answered any of our calls," said Giovanni Delia.
Authorities have not released the identity of the driver of the other car who was alone.
Though the crash is under investigation neighborhood residents say that intersection of Austin and Sunnyside has seen numerous accidents.
"I don't drive at this intersection because I have seen several accidents, but nothing like this," said Ted Augustyn, neighborhood resident.
Residents say they have complained before about the lack of stop signs on Austin and the stops at Sunnyside often go ignored, neighbors say.
One longtime resident says she used to keep a list but lost count after more than a dozen crashes.
"It has hit every corner. I've watched motorcyclers being slid over there because people will not yield," said the resident, who did not want to be identified.
Relatives of Bryan Delia say he loved dancing and hip hop and dreamed of being a choreographer.
"He had a big heart. He loved everyone, it didn't matter. He was loyal to his friends," said Giovanni Delia.
