Car Found In Fatal South Shore Crash That Was Possibly Intentional: PD

CHICAGO, IL — Chicago police have recovered a silver sedan four blocks away from a South Shore bar that fatally struck three men early Sunday morning. A fourth man was also injured.

The men were part of a group that had gathered in front of Jeffrey Pub, 7041 S. Jeffrey Blvd., when the car careened into them around 5 a.m.

The group was standing in the lane of the roadway closest to the curb. A graphic video posted on CWBChicago showed the group of men standing in the lane of the roadway closest to the curb, with another vehicle blocking the second lane. The high-speed silver sedan plowed into the group, sending four men hurling 30 feet into the air.

The injured men were taken to the University of Chicago’s Mitchell Hospital, where they died. A fourth man was taken to Stroger Hospital, where his condition is unknown.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victims as Devonta K. Vivetter, 27, of Chicago, who was pronounced at 5 a.m. Donald Huey, 25, of South Holland, was pronounced dead at 5:35 a.m.

A third man, 23-year-old Jalen Ausley, 23, address unknown, was pronounced dead at 5:35 a.m, according to information released by the medical examiner’s office.

CPD Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan called video of the accident posted to social media “horrific” during a news conference Monday morning.

“This is an active and ongoing investigation,” Deenihan said. “We’re looking for help on this one.”

Deenihan said he didn’t want to speculate, but according to the video circulating on social media, he said the fatal accident appeared to be intentional. The vehicle that struck the group was found four blocks away.

“You can’t charge a car with a crime, obviously,” Deenihan said. “We need to know who the driver was. We know there are people who know that. There were a lot of people outside and in the bar.”

Anyone with information is asked to call CPD Area One detectives at 312-747-8380 or email an anonymous tip to CPDTip.com.

Jeffrey Pub, one of the city’s oldest LGBT bars and has a wide following of gay Blacks on the South Side. The bar also encouraged patrons to contact them with tips on its Facebook page:

“Good Morning community. A very unfortunate, tragic event occurred early this morning after closing. A small group of people were in the street and an unidentified vehicle drove past at a very high rate of speed injuring several people and some deceased. Our hearts heavy this morning that such a tragic event has occurred. And to those that lost a loved one or friend we stand with you. We always encourage everyone to leave and go to your vehicles right away to make it home safe. And tonight this happened. If anyone has any information to assist in finding out who did this, please contact us immediately, and you will remain anonymous.”