Motorist fatally shoots self after crashing into several vehicles including PACE bus in Oak Park: police

A 48-year-old motorist, who crashed into several vehicles including a PACE bus, shot himself to death Friday morning in Oak Park, police said.

No one else was injured by gunfire but about 14 other people, primarily on the bus, were injured in the crash and taken to area hospitals. None of their injuries were serious, Oak Park police said.

Thomas E. Cremeens of Plainfield was speeding southbound at 9 a.m. on Harlem Avenue in a grey Toyota 4Runner with New Mexico plates when he drove through a red light at Lake Street before the crash, said Dan Yopchick, a police spokesperson.

A pedestrian was in the crosswalk when Cremeens swerved out of their way and into the northbound lanes, He crashed into three other vehicles including the bus, according to Yopchick.

A good Samaritan went to go check on Cremeens but when they walked away, the person heard a gunshot come from the SUV, according to Yopchick.

“The driver of the initial SUV then took out a gun and shot themselves in the head,” Yopchick said.

Cremeens, who Oak Park police have no history with, was pronounced dead on the scene inside the Toyota by Oak Park fire department paramedics.

A motive for the incident was not immediately known, though Yopchick said Cremeens was not followed by law enforcement at the time.