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Three Chicago ad agency executives die in car crash

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By Haley Velasco, Freelance journalist

October 26, 2016 | 3 min read

Three Chicago advertising executives were killed in Milwaukee early Saturday. In a hit-and-run accident, the women’s Uber was crashed into by an SUV who had run a red light, according to police.

Three Chicago ad agency executives die in car crash

Three Chicago ad agency executives die in car crash

The three women — Ashley Sawatzke, 30, a former Energy BBDO employee who moved to Leo Burnett over the summer, Amy Taylor, 32, an account director at Energy BBDO; and Lindsey Cohen, 35, an account supervisor at Energy BBDO — were killed, according to Ad Age.

The Chicago Tribune reported that Sawatzke and Taylor suffered head injuries and were pronounced dead on the scene. Authorities said that Cohen was taken to the hospital but was declared dead from blunt force injuries to her abdomen.

The newspaper reported that the suspected driver of the 2015 Lexus R350 SUV fled the scene, but later turned himself into Milwaukee police on Monday.

"We are absolutely devastated by the loss of these three incredible, exuberant young women who were taken from us far too soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones at this tragic moment. The grief of their absence is felt deeply across our Energy BBDO family," Energy BBDO President and CEO Tonise Paul said in a statement.

The three women had worked together at Energy BBDO in Chicago, a firm that works with brands such as Quaker, 5 Gum, Raid and Altoids. They worked in account management, supporting national advertising campaigns on household-name brands, according to Ad Age.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of Ashley Sawatzke's passing. She was a valued and loved member of the Leo Burnett family. Our thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family at this time," a Leo Burnett spokesperson said in a statement.

The Uber driver, Tim Snyder, is reported to be recovering from injuries that the authorities are considering not life-threatening, at a local hospital.

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