Man killed, 5 injured in fiery crash in Austin

A man was killed and five other people were injured in a fiery single-vehicle crash early Sunday in the Austin neighborhood on the West Side.

At 1:54 a.m., a silver Chrysler minivan was traveling west in the 5500 block of West Harrison when it struck a light pole and burst into flames, according to Chicago Police.

Delrius Wilkins, 29, was dead at the scene, according to police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office. His home address was unknown Tuesday morning. An autopsy found he died of blunt force traumatic injuries and thermal burns, with smoke inhalation listed as a contributing factor. His death was ruled an accident.

A 20-year-old woman and a 31-year-old woman were both taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where they were listed in serious and critical condition, respectively, police said.

A 30-year-old woman was taken in serious condition to Stroger Hospital, police said. A 44-year-old woman was also taken to Stroger, where her condition was stabilized.

Also, a 29-year-old man had his condition stabilized at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, police said.

A limb was recovered and is thought to belong to one of the victims who did not die in the crash, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

The police Major Accidents Investigation Unit is investigating the crash.