Parents killed, kids injured in possible drag racing crash in Robbins

ROBBINS, Ill. (WLS) -- Police said drag racing may have led to a crash that killed two people and injured several children in Robbins.

PHOTOS: Alleged drag racers hit minivan in Robbins

Witnesses told police a Buick and a Nissan were speeding north on Central Park Avenue around 7:40 p.m. Thursday. They saw both cars blow through the stop sign at 137th Street and crash into a minivan carrying a family of five.

The parents inside - Cherise Davis-Jones, 43, and her husband Less Jones, 59 - were both killed. Three children - ages 4, 7 and 8 - were riding in the back of the minivan survived the crash. The children were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

"This was 100 percent preventable. People chose to do things that they had no business doing, and it resulted in three kids losing their mother and father," Robbins Police Chief Mitchell Davis said.

Six generations of the family are now rallying behind the Jones' three young children. Relatives said the family was returning from a church gathering at the time of the crash.

"Hearts so heavy. Hearts so heavy, so sad. If they want to drag race, go to a track," said Jane Pickett, a cousin.

Those who live nearby said they have seen a lot of speeding recently.

"This particular year, this summer, there has been an increasing amount of speeding and drag racing in the area," said Robert White, a resident.

There were two men in each racing car, police said. One of the drivers is in police custody, and the other is expected to be taken into custody when he is released from the hospital. Police said charges are pending.

One of the passengers is hospitalized in the critical care unit, police said. The other passenger was treated at a local hospital and released.