A van carrying several teenagers back from choir practice collided with two other cars at Midway Plaisance Drive South and Dorchester Avenue at 9:19 p.m. Thursday night. Eight people suffered serious injuries, five were less seriously injured, and one person had minor injuries, according to Larry Langford, spokesperson for the Chicago Fire Department.

“Nothing appears to be life-threatening,” Langford said.

Spokespeople and authorities on-scene from the Chicago Police Department (CPD) and the Chicago Fire Department could not confirm whether any of the victims were U of C students.

Police are investigating whether the driver of the Chevrolet Suburban 1500 was under the influence of alcohol. The driver refused medical treatment.

“Police at the scene were indicating that alcohol may have been a factor,” Langford said.

Eight of the victims, who were initially reported in critical/serious condition but later labeled as having serious injuries, were taken to Northwestern, Stroger, Jackson Park, and Wiler hospitals, according to Officer Hector Alfaro, spokesperson for the CPD.

The teenagers in the car were between the ages of 16 and 18, according to Janice Sidney, a church administrator from Metropolitan Apostolic.