Ralphelle Howard, 26, had been missing since an SUV carrying five adults plunged into the river early Tuesday.
CHICAGO — The body of a 26-year-old woman missing after an SUV crashed into the Little Calumet River was found Wednesday, bringing the death toll from the Far South Side crash to two, according to her family and published reports.
Ralphelle Howard had been missing for more than a day after the vehicle carrying her and four other adults entered the river early Tuesday near the 13000 block of South Indiana Avenue. Trumayne Sanders, 24, was pulled from the water after the crash and later died at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Three other people, including the driver, survived.
Chicago police said the crash happened about 2:31 a.m. Tuesday when the vehicle lost control, struck a barrier and went into the Little Calumet River. The vehicle was traveling with five adults inside. Three occupants were able to get out and reach land, while Sanders required rescue by a marine unit and Howard could not initially be located.
The search for Howard continued into Wednesday after rescue crews had spent hours examining the river and surrounding area. Her father later said her body was found along the riverbank about half a block from where the vehicle had been removed. Reports said she was taken to Roseland Hospital and pronounced dead.
The discovery ended a search that had involved authorities as well as Howard’s relatives and friends. Family members had gathered near the river Tuesday while crews worked from the water and surrounding shoreline. Search efforts included marine operations, and crews resumed work after daylight following difficult nighttime conditions.
Sanders was identified after being rescued from the river. Authorities said he had been taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in serious condition before he died. Howard remained unaccounted for through much of the following day.
The 24-year-old man who was driving survived the crash. Police said he was taken to Roseland Hospital with pain in his arm and shoulder and was in good condition. Authorities cited him for failing to reduce speed. His name had not been publicly released in the reports reviewed Thursday.
Two women, ages 22 and 27, also escaped the vehicle and were not injured, according to police. Authorities have not publicly detailed how the occupants got out of the vehicle or provided a full reconstruction of what happened immediately before it struck the barrier.
The crash occurred where South Indiana Avenue approaches the Little Calumet River on Chicago’s Far South Side. Investigators have not announced a final determination of the factors that caused the driver to lose control. The citation issued to the driver does not by itself establish the complete cause of the crash.
Chicago police continued to investigate the crash. No additional criminal charges had been publicly announced, and authorities had not released a final crash investigation as of Thursday.
Author note: Last updated September 10, 2026.