Families Plan Funerals For 4 Teens Killed In Hickory Hills Crash

Oak Lawn IL

22 July, 2021

3:27 PM

Description

HICKORY HILLS, IL — The families of four teens killed in a single-car crash on July 17 are trying to pick up the pieces and plan their children's funerals. Online fundraisers have been created to help their parents cover funeral expenses. The teens lived in the same small neighborhood in Justice. Police said the 17-year-old driver of a 2008 Mercedes SUV driving at a high rate of speed lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree at 85th Court and 89th Street. Charges are pending against the driver. The ages of the teens were 15, 16 and two 17-year-olds. Two other people in the SUV, including the driver, are hospitalized. Police said the driver may have been aiming for a crest in the street in an attempt to make the vehicle go airborne. Kenneth Roberts, the father of 17-year-old Nathaniel Phillips, is trying to raise money "to give [my son] Nate a proper burial." Roberts had been trying to reach his son last Saturday when he heard about the accident, and realized that something was dreadfully wrong when Nate didn't answer his phone. "I raised Nate as my son, for all his 17 years, since they placed him in my arms at the hospital. I've been the only dad he has known," Roberts said on GoFundMe. "A day before his passing, I spoke to Nate on the phone, and we had such a great conversation. He was so excited about his new job. I was so happy and proud of him. He told me "I'm going to treat you to the movies, on me" after I get my first check. He really touched my heart because movies was our thing. I will always remember my boy. His passing his left a huge hole in our family." Make a donation to "For Nate Phillips Burial" on GoFundMe. A friend, Nicole Watts, has established a fundraiser on GoFundMe for the mother of Omarion, 17, and 15-year-old Jemerrio Rieves. "It's a mother's worst nightmare to let your children out with their friends, and something tragic like this happened To lose one child is tragic enough. But to lose 2 children at the same time. I can't even imagine what she and the family is through because it happened so unexpectedly." Make a donation to "Mother's unexpected loss" on GoFundMe. Patch has been in contact with a GoFundMe representative, who has assured us that these fundraisers have been fully vetted and verified.