Victim Of River North Crash IDed; Driver Found Dead In Suspected Suicide

CHICAGO, IL — The victim of a horrific crash in River North has been identified as a 21-year-old Joliet woman. Alejandra Damian, also known as Aly, died early Monday when the vehicle she was riding in struck a utility pole, splitting in half and exploding in the 400 block of West Ontario. Chicago police said the driver was able to escape the crash and flee on foot, but was later found dead in an apparent suicide.

Emergency crews pulled Damian from the wreckage and she was pronounced dead on the scene, authorities said.

The driver of the car was identified as 34-year-old Anthony Milder, according to ABC Chicago. Milder was found dead Monday night of what sources told ABC is a suspected suicide. Milder was not the owner of the car, which was registered to a northwest Indiana man who said he'd lent the vehicle to Milder, ABC reported.

An autopsy conducted Tuesday revealed that Milder was hanged, and the death was ruled a suicide, according to NBC Chicago.

Friends told WGN they were shocked by news of Damian's death. "She's got a big heart and everyone who knows her knows that she's a wonderful person," Darren Brown said, adding he became friends with Damian after meeting her at several clubs in River North. He said footage of the crash's aftermath posted online was heartbreaking to watch. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Joliet — or your neighborhood. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

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Damian's Facebook page lists her as a cocktail waitress at several River North clubs. She was studying public relations and advertising at DePaul, according to WGN.

"Alejandra was a full spirited, ambitious, and loving daughter, sister, and friend to many. Those who knew Ale knew that her laugh and smile was enough to brighten up a room.Please help us raise money for her funeral and memorial services. The donations are going directly to the parents of Alejandra, my aunt and uncle," a cousin posted on a GoFundMe campaign created for Damian's family.

Alejandra Damian/Image via GoFundMe