One person killed, one person severely injured near 4990 S WESTERN BLVD in Gage Park

A driver was killed and a passenger was severely injured after a Thursday early morning sideswipe same direction collision in Gage Park on January 1, 2026 at 2:07 AM.

The crash occurred near 4990 S WESTERN BLVD, on an undivided road. The posted speed limit was 30 mph. It was dark but with streetlights, the weather was snowy, and the roadway was dry but reportedly had a worn surface. The police report attributed the cause of the crash to improper lane usage; and, secondarily, to failing to reduce speed to avoid a crash.

There were two motor vehicles involved in the crash:

• A 2006 Jeep Commander was heading south. The driver, a 30-year-old man, was killed; his airbag did not deploy and he was partially ejected. A 20-year-old male passenger reportedly suffered incapacitating injuries; his airbag did not deploy.
• A 2024 Dodge Durango was heading south and was hit in the front-right-corner. The driver, a 34-year-old man, was improperly wearing a seat belt and his airbag did not deploy; he was uninjured.

Police were notified at 2:07 AM. This was the 15th injurious crash reported in January 2026, and the 15th injurious crash reported in 2026. It was the 1st fatal crash for 2026.