CHICAGO — A man was killed and his passenger injured when the vehicle they were in hit a lightpole and split in half late Saturday night, police said.
Keith L. Smith and a passenger were speeding southbound near the 11000 block of South Michigan Avenue at about 11:30 p.m. when he lost control of the 1996 Mitsubishi Gallant he was driving, police said.
Smith was attempting to pass another vehicle when he lost control, hit a curb then struck a lightpole "with such force that it cut the vehicle in half," police said.
The accident took place less than three blocks from Smith's residence on the 12000 block of South Perry Avenue on the Far South Side, according to the Cook County medical examiner.
The 20-year-old was pronounced dead at 12:05 a.m., according to the medical examiner.
Police said he was taken to Christ Hospital after suffering "extensive head trauma."
Smith's passenger, another 20-year-old male, was transported to Christ Hospital with leg pain before he was treated and released.
No other vehicles were involved in the incident.
