CHICAGO — An 8-year-old girl died after a car she was traveling in crashed into a tree Tuesday night, authorities said.
Police say alcohol was a factor in the crash and charges are pending against the driver.
Responders found the car crashed in the 1000 block of West Garfield Avenue about 11:15 p.m., said Officer Amina Greer, a police spokesman.
The driver, a 26-year-old man, was driving west when the car struck a curb and hit a tree.
Lauren Smith, who was in the back seat, was pronounced dead at 12:42 a.m. at Comer Children's Hospital, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office and Greer.
The man was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he is in "stable" condition as of Wednesday morning.
The relationship between the driver and Lauren, who lived in the 5600 block of South Wolcott Avenue in West Englewood, is unclear.
