Elena Cherry, wife of Real Times' chief financial officer, killed in accident

Elena Cherry, wife of Kurt Cherry, the chief financial officer of Real Times Inc., owner of the Chicago Defender, was recently killed by a pickup truck as she pushed their 13-month-old child, in a stroller down a street in Chicago. Mrs. Cherry was 33.

The child, Chiara Cherry, was listed in critical condition at Cook County's John H. Stroger Hospital following the accident.

The driver of the pickup truck apparently lost control of the vehicle, veering onto the sidewalk and striking the mother and child, the Chicago Defender newspaper reported. The driver reportedly was traveling at a high speed, according to witnesses. The driver has been arrested.

Real Times Inc. is the firm that purchased the Chicago Defender and four other Black newspapers earlier this year. Mr. Cherry was instrumental in finalizing the transaction.

Chicago Defender Publisher David M. Milliner said: "This is a sad day for the Chicago Defender and all of our employees. We are keeping Kurt Cherry and his family in our prayers."

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Cherry is survived by her parents, Celso and Raffaella Curti and a brother, Fulvio Curti.