14-year-old girl killed, another teen injured in Wilmington crash

A 14-year-old girl was killed and another teenager was seriously injured in a single-vehicle crash Tuesday evening in southwest suburban Wilmington.

A vehicle left the road about 5:20 p.m. while heading eastbound on Stevens Lane near Widows Road, then struck a tree, according to Wilmington police.

The 16-year-old driver and the 14-year-old passenger were extracted from the vehicle by the Wilmington Fire Protection District and taken to Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, police said.

The passenger, 14-year-old Cory A. Tebbens of Wilmington, was pronounced dead at Saint Joseph’s at 6:46 p.m., police said. Preliminary indications are that the girl died of injuries suffered in the crash, but the final cause and manner of death are pending autopsy, toxicological and police reports, the coroner’s office said.

The 16-year-old driver was admitted to the intensive care unit, police said.

The investigation found the vehicle had been traveling at “a high rate of speed,” police said.

Wilmington High School activated its crisis plan and has counselors on site to assist students and staff members, police said.