Residents unhurt when SUV careens into apartment after crash

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Two people escaped serious injury Tuesday night when a traffic crash sent an SUV careening into their South Side apartment.

The crash happened about 8:20 p.m. in the 500 block of East 75th Street when a Ford Escort and a Ford Explorer collided near the intersection of St. Lawrence Avenue, police News Affairs Officer Robert Perez said.

The collision sent the Explorer careening into a nearby building, and it crashed into an occupied apartment, Perez said. At least two people were inside at the time, but escaped with only minor bumps and bruises and declined to go to the hospital.

Both drivers claim they had a green light, and police found no other witnesses to sort out their stories, Perez said. There was indication that drugs or alcohol were involved in the crash.

The driver of the Escort, Avis Hammond, 27, of the 1300 block of East Maple Street in Kankakee -- was cited for not having insurance, Perez said. He and his passenger were unharmed.

A 21-year-old man riding in the Ford Escort was taken to Jackson Park Hospital in good condition, and three other people in that vehicle were not injured, Perez said.