Driver Of Corvette That Crashed Into Skokie Building Dies

SKOKIE, IL — An 32-year-old Evanston man died four days after he crashed a Corvette into a vacant Skokie building at high speed. Arturo Garcia-Martinez, of the 1900 block of Warren Street, was the driver of the red sports car found smashed into the side of an unoccupied storefront shortly before 11:45 p.m. on Sunday, according to police and the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

Police and fire personnel arrived to find the car halfway inside the building at 3943 Oakton St., having left a large hole in the east side of the brick structure. Rescuers extricated Garcia-Martinez from the Corvette and took him to St. Francis Hospital in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead shortly before 9 p.m. Thursday, according to the medical examiner.

The Major Crash Assistance Team of the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force reviewed the scene. Skokie police said its investigation suggested that alcohol and speed had both been factors in the crash.

Neighbors reported hearing two cars speeding down Oakton Street around the time of the crash, according to WLS, and fire officials said there was significant structural damage to the building, which would need to be inspected.

Police asked anyone who witnessed or has knowledge about the incident to contact the Skokie Police Department at 847-982-5900, its 24-hour tip hotline at 847-933-8477 or text a tip to 847411 by messaging "Skokie" followed by your tip information.

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