Video shows chaotic confrontation between drag racers, police in Pilsen; 6 CPD vehicles damaged

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Cellphone video showed the aftermath of a crash that police said killed a woman on the city's Southwest Side.

It happened just after 1:30 a.m. Sunday. A 27-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman were speeding down Cicero Avenue near 64th Street, police said. That's when the man changed lanes, hit the woman's car and 40-year-old Shawman Meireis, who was standing on the sidewalk.

The victim died at the hospital. Police said the man behind the wheel was given two citations.

Hours after that, a chaotic confrontation was caught on video at South Canal Street and West Cermak Road in the Pilsen neighborhood. Police said they tried to respond to reports of more drifting and drag racing. Instead, they left with six squad vehicles pummeled by heavy objects.

Video shows people hitting a police SUV over and over again. Officers were then seen retreating. No officers were hurt.

Before, some people in that same group were involved in a street takeover at Madison and Morgan in the West Loop, police said. Video showed a vehicle dangerously drifting in that intersection.

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"I heard it in my apartment just down the block, like, around 2 a.m.," said Molly Rippert, a West Loop resident. "We're the part of the town that's pretty sleepy at night. So, for this kind of commotion to happen at 2 a.m., we knew something was up."

So far, this has been a busy weekend for Chicago police responding to similar calls.

Another video was taken near East 25th Street near South King Drive on the Near South Side early Saturday morning. Two men were arrested and one car was impounded.

Neighbors said they hope something is done to change this overnight nuisance.

"When the cops tried to break it up, it moved over to where I live, which is close to Racine and Washington," said Abigail Shreve, a West Loop resident. "I hope that leadership will step in and actually hold people accountable."

Police said at least three people have been arrested and are facing charges for the dangerous street stunts this weekend at 25th Street and King Drive, and Wacker and Columbus drives.

Last month, city council members passed an ordinance that allows the city to impound vehicles that drift and drag race, even if cops aren't around.