4 friends killed in Crest Hill car crash are identified, cause of crash still unknown

Four friends from the far south suburbs died in a horrific crash early this morning near Weber and Knapp roads in Crest Hill.

[Driver]

I saw an unrelated news item about sudden uncontrolled gas pedal problems. It stated the problem has surfaced in Toyota products INCLUDING LEXUS. This should be looked into. The families of these young men should get a forensic law firm and the evidence should be preserved.

[RestoreAmerica]

Driver wrote:

I saw an unrelated news item about sudden uncontrolled gas pedal problems. It stated the problem has surfaced in Toyota products INCLUDING LEXUS. This should be looked into. The families of these young men should get a forensic law firm and the evidence should be preserved.

That is a very good point. Toyota is going down the tubes, Ford anyone? If it turns out to be the driver's fault with regard to speeding then at least they did not kill anyone else on the road.

[Jeff]

Lexus is the "Cadillac" of Toyotas. Toyota did recall Lexus for the same problem, but are trying to keep it quiet. Reports of gas pedals going to the floorboard by themselves would make me want to not take a chance on it.

[Crimson Rose]

If it comes out that the reason these 4 died was because of a faulty gas peddle, I'm sorry I would sue the shit out of Toyota, I'm not one to say sue, but these men had families that are going to go without because of this.

[mama2boys]

These four men will be missed, and they were taken from their family and friends way too soon..It is a absolute tragedy what has happened and things wont be the same with out them.

RIP... Shaun Kavanagh, Juan Pinto, Anthony Maniscalli, Adolfo Bejarano

[tim]

Rest in peace. Shawn

[All too young]

Today will be a sad day of "see you later" RIP- Big Tone, and Shaun, Jaun and Adolfo.

[Drunk Driving]

This is so sad... one of these four got into a bar fight earlier in the night at a bar that I was at. Drinking and driving kills. So sad..

[Jeff]

Officials said they thought alcohol was NOT a factor in the accident. They automatically take blood samples from the driver in fatalities. If the driver was drunk, they would have known that. The one you saw in the bar then was obviously not the driver. The driver probably was the "designated driver".

[praying for the familes]

This is just too sad! Although I did not know these men, I am praying for them and their families. Maybe there can be some comfort in knowing even strangers are praying for them at this time.

[JTondreau]

Always in our hearts and NEVER forgotten!
<3 REST IN PEACE <3 Shaun, Tony, Juan & Adolfo.

[SoSad]

Alcohol was ruled out. Even if it's a Toyota recall issue, it doesn't bring the guys back. It's a tragedy no matter which way you look at it.

[Jeff]

It is a tragedy. Money can never make up for it, even if Toyota steps up and compensates their families. I just heard there is also a problem with something electronic causing sudden uncontrollable acceleration (separate from the gas petal problem).

[cousin]

I lost 2 cousins in the car accident and the driver happens to be my cousin..people should not judge without knowing anything and think before they write have some damn consideration for the family who may be reading this like me ...My cousin was the driver and he was not driving drunk.

[Jeff]

It appears it was NOT the fault of the driver, but a mechanical failure. It looks a lot like sudden uncontrollable stuck gas pedal. Lexus IS a Toyota product and has had the same problems. Now it comes out State Farm has been complaining to the gov't. about this for a long time and were ignored.

[Jeff]

Last summer, an off duty California Highway Patrol officer and his family were all killed when their LEXUS SUV sped up out of control to 120 MPH! These young men tragically killed in Crest Hill were also in a LEXUS SUV! www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6183UL20100209

[Tammy]

I did not personally know any of these people in California or in Crest Hill, but when I when I read about it I cried. My heart goes out to their families.

[john]

Drunk Driving wrote:

This is so sad... one of these four got into a bar fight earlier in the night at a bar that I was at. Drinking and driving kills. So sad..

how do you know that one got in a fight

[rville resident]

Jeff wrote:

Officials said they thought alcohol was NOT a factor in the accident. They automatically take blood samples from the driver in fatalities. If the driver was drunk, they would have known that. The one you saw in the bar then was obviously not the driver. The driver probably was the "designated driver".

the driver was hammered when the toxicology reports come back in a couple of weeks youll c that among other things in his system the driver is the reason the st andrews principal to send email to the parents of students telling them of the extra police presence and locking down the school because of his gang ties those guys were spotted at halftime at 8pm that night drinking they had been drinking allnight you drive drunk this happens also some of the families are allready lawyering up to sue juans insurance as u will see soon they dont think it was an innocent accident

[rville resident]

it will be a shame if the driver comes back dui how do you prove if it was a faulty pedal or dui if he comes back positive for alcohol at the least it couldve been pedal always a slim chance but if he comes back dui your cases are gone against toyota..