Families Plan Funerals For 4 Teens Killed In Hickory Hills Crash

HICKORY HILLS, IL — The families of four teens killed in a single-car crash on July 17 are trying to pick up the pieces and plan their children’s funerals. Online fundraisers have been created to help their parents cover funeral expenses. The teens lived in the same small neighborhood in Justice.

Police said the 17-year-old driver of a 2008 Mercedes SUV driving at a high rate of speed lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree at 85th Court and 89th Street. Charges are pending against the driver. The ages of the teens were 15, 16 and two 17-year-olds. Two other people in the SUV, including the driver, are hospitalized. Police said the driver may have been aiming for a crest in the street in an attempt to make the vehicle go airborne.

A friend, Nicole Watts, has established a fundraiser on GoFundMe for the mother of Omarion, 17, and 15-year-old Jemerrio Rieves.

“It's a mother's worst nightmare to let your children out with their friends, and something tragic like this happened To lose one child is tragic enough. But to lose 2 children at the same time. I can't even imagine what she and the family is through because it happened so unexpectedly.”

Make a donation to “Mother's unexpected loss” on GoFundMe.

Patch has been in contact with a GoFundMe representative, who has assured us that these fundraisers have been fully vetted and verified.