Chicago police have announced misdemeanor charges against two teenagers who caused a fatal car accident on April 16. The teens reportedly stole a car right before they blew through an intersection in the city's West Garfield Park neighborhood. The stolen car hit a truck with a mother and her three children inside. Tragically, Cristian Uvidia, just 6 months old, died from injuries he received in the accident.
Today, the infant's family and the community are trying to wrap their heads around the senseless tragedy. The teenage boys who reportedly stole the car and caused the accident are 14 and 17 and will not be charged in the infant's death. Many people are speaking out against the suspects and the criminal justice system, asking why the charges against them aren't more severe.
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The crash occurred early Sunday evening.
Surveillance video caught the deadly crash right after 5 p.m. in the 4400 block of West Washington Boulevard. The accident happened in front of former 28th aldermanic candidate Shawn Walker's home. According to a Facebook post, Walker was watching TV when he heard a loud boom in front of his house. He rushed out and found two mangled vehicles. He got to the baby and began CPR while waiting for emergency personnel.
"As a father of a 25-year-old son, my first instincts were to assist the family and making sure the baby was OK. It was nothing that I wouldn't do with any situation in the community as I have always done," he told digital creator Chinta Strausberg.
EMS rushed Cristian and his family to the hospital.
The baby's mother, 34, and two other occupants, ages 15 and 7, were treated at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County. Sadly, doctors pronounced Cristian dead shortly after his arrival.
WSAZ reported that the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office determined Cristian died from blunt force trauma to the head.
"He suffered from an impact that fractured his skull, causing his brain to swell and eventually killing him. We are devastated, and we are broken. We will miss his sweet smile, as he was a joy to everyone that he met," Cristian's aunt Annelisse Rivera wrote on a GoFundMe page started to help with final expenses and medical bills.
The accident and subsequent charges have sparked outrage in the community.
The two teenage suspects were each charged with a misdemeanor count of criminal trespassing, the New York Post reported. As of Sunday, there are no further charges against the boys.
On Monday, supporters of the family spoke out against the charges and questioned why the teens seemed to be getting off so easy, ABC 7 reported.
"The charges did not fit the crime," said Andrew Holmes. "My message is to the state's attorney, and anybody else that has hands on this case, 'What are you looking at? What are you feeling? How about first degree murder? How about reckless homicide?'"
The family is relying on their faith to get them through the devastation.
Rivera released a statement to Fox 32 expressing the family's disappointment in the justice system:
"We are not only saddened by the loss of our precious baby, but we are disgusted by the fact that the city that we know and once loved is choosing to not defend and protect the victims of these terrible crimes, but instead chooses to sympathize with criminals … charging them with a misdemeanor isn't just a slap on the wrist for them but a slap in the face for our family."
But through the sadness, they do feel hope. Rivera wrote on the family's GoFundMe page, explaining that they are relying on their faith in Jesus to help them during this incredibly dark time. The generosity of others has helped raise more than $42,000 so far.
"We have gotten so many kind messages whether it be by email or via GoFundMe but it's nice to know that Cristiansito's story had such an impact on you all that you would be willing to help us. If I could hug you all individually I would," Rivera wrote.
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Social media is full of posts calling for justice for Cristian and his family.
A quick search of #cristianuvidia shows sentiments of unbelievable outrage at the justice system, as well as sympathy for the family.
@larryelder tweeted, "A new low for Chicago: Windy City boys aged 14 and 17 are charged with MISDEMEANORS for 'stealing Hyundai and crashing into family, killing their adorable baby son'"
"How much is a stolen car worth? How about the life of a 6 month old boy? Chicago teens charged w/ misdemeanor after death of 6 month old killed in crash," another tweet reads.
"#misdemeanor charge?!! For stealing a car and killing a 6 month old! A s— city witha horrible justice system," wrote another Twitter user.
Others took to platforms like TikTok with comments such as, "That explains the entire problem with our society. We don't punish criminals."
As of Sunday, no additional charges had been filed against the teens, but the investigation is ongoing.
