3 shot in car in Rogers Park, Wounded driver strikes woman with car on way to hospital

EVANSTON, Ill. (WLS) -- A woman who was shot in Rogers Park struck a pedestrian with her car while driving to the hospital.

Three people- two women, 23 and 22; and a man, 26- were shot multiple times while inside a car in the 1500 block of West Morse Avenue around 10:15 p.m., Chicago police said. The 23-year-old driver, who was shot in the back, was attempting to drive the two miles to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, Ill., when she lost control of the car.

"As they were turning the corner from ridge to Austin in order to go into the emergency room, they jumped the curb and struck a bicyclist," Evanston Police Commander Joe Dugan said.

The bicyclist works at St. Francis. Surgical nurse Karen Irene Thomas, 59, was on her way home from work when she was hit by the car. She is hospitalized at St. Francis with a compound leg fracture.

"If you talk to her, she focuses on how lucky she was because she was hit at a pretty good rate of speed and thrown about 20 feet," Dr. Michael Prendergast, Presence St. Francis Hospital, said. Dr. Prendergast is the head of the trauma center. He said he's worked extensively with Thomas, whom they affectionately call "KIF."

The three shooting victims were also admitted to St. Francis. Two remain there. Doctors said they told hospital officials that they had struck a bicyclist.

"They then continued and went into the emergency room where they told the emergency room people that they in fact struck somebody. And then we were able to go out there. Our fire department brought the nurse into the ER," Evanston Police Commander Joe Dugan said.

"The team reacted appropriately they triaged the patients appropriately they stabilize everybody," Dr. Prendergast said. "It is a testimony to their dedication and professionalism they were able to take care of one of their own who they saw was very seriously injured."

Officials said both women were shot in the back while the male shooting victim as shot in the shoulder. Officials believe the shooting was gang-related.

No charges have been filed in the crash.