A high school senior was killed in a north suburban crash days before prom.
Two cars were involved in the wreck in the 1200-block of East Lake Avenue just after 11 p.m. on Sunday.
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Marko Niketic, 17, was driving the Mercedes that was hit by a Mustang which was traveling at a high rate of speed, according to police.
Niketic's passenger was critically injured and taken to a hospital, police said.
The driver of the Mustang was in the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police. The passenger of the Mustang is in the hospital critical condition.
The Mercedes was almost cut in half, its entire trunk ripped away and that back end landed in a neighbor's yard.
"This guy was flying," neighbor Dennis Mullen said. "I could hear the whoosh of the car as it went by the street and a second later I heard the big thump."
Residents of the quiet neighborhood said the crash sounded like an explosion.
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Friends said Niketic was a senior at Glenbrook South High School. The crash happened just days away from prom and weeks away from graduation.
"I just knew that he was a good kid," Inessa Kaufman said. "There's nothing bad to say about this kid. He was like the popular kid around school."
A witness, Nathan Clark, said the Mustang was going at least 90 mph just seconds before the crash.
Clark, who called 911, said the Mustang went around him as he headed westbound on Lake. He said the driver was turning his lights off and on.
"I was in the left. He went into the left lane, got back in front of me, and then just floored it, turned off his lights. And then about five seconds later, I see the cars in the air," Clark said.
The crash was so loud, one neighbor said, she thought she heard an explosion.
"I was just watching TV, and all of a sudden, I just heard, I thought it was an explosion," Bobbie MacDonald said. "We live behind Lake, so if you hear an accident, there's usually some screeching, and then a bang. And there was no screeching at all."
Dozens of young people came out to the crash site on Monday afternoon to mourn together and support each other through the loss of a classmate.
But the most emotional scene was a visit from Niketic's father to a makeshift memorial. Students said he knelt down and kissed a picture of his son.
"I can't even imagine what his parents are going through. The most sweet parents in the world," said Preston Shute, a Glenbrook South High School student and a friend of the victim. "He's actually the best guy I ever knew. He should've lived a full life."
Shute and several dozen other students showed up to pray and begin to build the memorial to honor the life of their classmate. Shute said Niketic was his best friend, and they planned to room together next year in college.
"We always talked about the future. Unfortunately, he doesn't get a future, and I think that I don't know the whole situation, but the Mustang was driving really, really fast," Shute said. "The fact that I didn't get to say goodbye to him, it absolutely melts my heart. All I can say is, 'Rest in peace, Marko. You're my best friend. I'll see you again one day.'"
Shute said his friend had an entrepreneurial spirit, and day traded stocks in his free time. Others told ABC7 the teen was a real gentleman.
Glenbrook High School will have counselors available for students and staff to process the tragic death through the week.
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Students can visit the student services department or visit the Glenbrook Health Center to speak with a social worker.
An anonymous text communication system for youth needing mental health assistance is available 24/7. Those looking for help can text "GBS HELP" to 844-823-5323.
"Our thoughts are with the Niketic family and the entire GBS community during this difficult time, Glenbrook South High School Principal Barbara Georges said.
Police were canvassing the neighborhood in hopes of finding anyone with surveillance video.
The North Regional Major Crimes Task Force's Major Crash Assistance Team is assisting police with their investigation.