The woman, who was a passenger in one of the vehicles, was transported to St. Francis Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. She has been identified as Zainab Suboh.
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Her daughter-in-law, Summayya Suboh, said the family is devastated.
"She was an angel walking on earth," Summayya said. "My father-in-law is devastated. We're all devastated."
Suboh said Zainab and her husband joined their son, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren, driving from their hometown of Highland, Indiana to Chicago to visit other relatives. They were two blocks from their destination when the crash happened in the 3400 block of West Peterson Avenue at about 7:52 p.m.
Police said an 18-year-old driver of a Saturn Aura was traveling southbound on Kimball Avenue. It failed to yield to the Kia Sorento, driven by a 46-year-old man, with the Suboh family inside. The impact flipped the Kia upside down.
"It must have been traveling at a very high rate of speed in order for the car to flip over and cause all the damage that it caused," Summayya said.
Both drivers were transported to hospital in fair condition while a 36-year-old woman and Zainab's 81-year old husband were transported to hospitals in critical condition.
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Two children, a three-year-old boy and a seven-year-old girl, were transported to Lurie Children's Hospital in fair condition.
"He was flipped upside down, and he wasn't able to breathe, so my nephew was able to undo seatbelt and unhook him," Summayya said.
Summayya said while her family is recovering form their injuries, their hearts are broken.
"I couldn't have asked for better mother-in-law. She truly was a great soul. I will miss her deeply. We will all miss her deeply," she said.
The Chicago Police Major Accidents Unit is investigating the crash. Police said charges are pending.