Dec. 07--Authorities have identified a 16-year-old Chicago boy who was one of two people killed when the stolen car they were traveling in crashed into a tree early Sunday in north suburban Highland Park.
An autopsy determined Joseph Belcher, of an unidentified address in Chicago, died of multiple traumatic injuries from a car striking a fixed object, according to a spokesman for the Lake County coroner's office.
Joseph, who was a passenger in the car, was pronounced dead on the scene at 4:45 a.m., according to the spokesman, who said it could take up to seven weeks to determine the manner of his death.
The vehicle was "traveling at a high rate of speed,'' when it plowed into a tree at the intersection of Oakwood Avenue and Walnut Street about 4:30 a.m., according to Kristin Missen, who was reading from a statement from the deputy police chief.
Missen said another person was airlifted to Evanston Hospital, then pronounced dead. His identity was not yet known.
The vehicle involved was reported stolen to Chicago police Friday, police said.
According to a source, the vehicle was being pursued by law enforcement when it crashed.
Susan Berger is a freelance reporter and Rosemary Regina Sobol is a Chicago Tribune reporter.
