Chicago police said a 23-year-old man driving a Chevy Impala, who also had an infant in his car, was driving westbound on 81st Street and had the green light. As he crossed the intersection, police said a 26-year-old man in a Chrysler 300 driving northbound on Racine ran the red light.
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The Impala struck the Chrysler in the intersection, causing the Chrysler to spin. It struck a 52-year-old female pedestrian before crashing into a building.
Police said the woman was taken to University of Chicago Hospital, where she died.
The woman is well-known in the neighborhood as Belinda, who residents said was at the bus stop to head to work at the time of the crash.
When the car struck the building, it severed a gas line and prevented neighbors from helping her.
"Everybody wanted to help her," said Jovon Smith, owner of JS Liquors. "But you've got gas coming out like water."
Her distraught husband ran to the scene in his pajamas.
Witnesses said the driver of the Impala was able to get himself and the baby out through the car's sunroof. They said the Chrysler took off from the scene, but was later apprehended.
The driver of the Impala sustained a broken arm and was taken to University of Chicago Hospital for treatment. Chicago fire officials said the infant in the car was hospitalized, but they did not elaborate on the nature of the baby's injuries. Both are in fair condition, officials said.
Smith said cars speed through the neighborhood all too often.
"They don't stop. This 81st Street is like a drag strip. They don't stop," he said.
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The driver of the Chrysler was not injured, police said.
The investigation is ongoing, police said, and citations are pending. No further details about the victims have been released.