Teen Dancer Boaz Flemister and Director Lazuras Gonzales Die in I-94 SUV Wreck

A devastating rollover crash on the Bishop Ford Freeway has left Chicago’s South Side community grieving after two members of Empiire Dance Institute were killed early Wednesday morning. According to Illinois State Police, the single-vehicle accident happened around 1:15 a.m. on February 18 along the northbound I-94 entrance ramp at 111th Street in the Pullman neighborhood.

Authorities said an SUV carrying five dancers lost control before flipping over and ejecting several occupants. The violent crash resulted in the deaths of 17-year-old Boaz “Bo” Flemister and 23-year-old Lazuras Gonzales, known affectionately within the dance community as “Hollywood.” Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Boaz Flemister was a junior at Art in Motion Art School in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood. He had been a dedicated member of Empiire Dance Institute since he was just eight years old. Known for his elite championship talent and charismatic stage presence, Bo was widely recognized as one of the group’s standout performers. Friends, classmates, and teammates described him as a driven young man with a passion for dance and an infectious smile that could light up any room.

Lazuras Gonzales, 23, served as a dance director and mentor within the organization. Fondly called “Hollywood,” Gonzales was admired not only for his talent but for his leadership and commitment to guiding younger dancers. His death has deeply shaken the Empiire Dance Institute family, where he played a pivotal role in training and inspiring the next generation of performers.

Three other occupants of the SUV survived but were hospitalized. Empiire CEO Latisha Waters confirmed that one individual remains in grave condition, another suffered broken legs, and a third was treated for minor injuries. The award-winning South Side dance team—an eight-time Bud Billiken Parade champion—had reportedly practiced together earlier that day and was heading home when tragedy struck.

Co-CEO Dwayne Moore speculated that the SUV may have hit a pothole, potentially triggering the catastrophic rollover. However, Illinois State Police have not confirmed the exact cause, and the investigation remains ongoing. Northbound lanes of I-94 were closed for several hours following the crash but reopened by midmorning.

The loss has reverberated throughout Chicago’s dance and youth communities. Family members, teammates, and supporters gathered to honor the memories of the two victims, calling them “great youth” and “household names” within the city’s competitive dance scene. Despite overwhelming grief, Moore vowed that the team would carry on in their honor.

As tributes continue pouring in across social media, the focus now turns to supporting the surviving victims and grieving families. The Bishop Ford rollover crash stands as a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly lives can change, leaving a city united in mourning two bright lights gone too soon.