A 63-year-old Bellwood man died early Friday morning after his eastbound Nissan Maxima lost control on Madison Street, crossed into the westbound lanes and struck a concrete light pole at Lathrop Avenue, Forest Park police said.

Carter Thompson, Jr. was taken to Loyola University Medical Center where he was declared dead. 

“Somewhere east of Jackson he lost control, going at a high rate of speed,” said Forest Park Deputy Police Chief Tom Aftanas. The accident occurred at around 2:55 a.m., but it took crews until 8 a.m. to clear the debris, including a toppled light pole.  Aftanas said the crash “did not appear to be alcohol related.” Autopsy results were pending at the Cook County Medical Examiner. 

Jean Lotus loves community journalism. She covers news, features, two school boards, village council, crime, park district and writes obits for Forest Park Review. She also covers the police beat for...