Bear Rookie, Woman Die in Crash

Rookie defensive tackle Fred Washington of the Chicago Bears and a woman companion were killed in a one-car crash at 2:30 a.m. Friday.

The car driven by Washington struck a tree about two miles from his home in suburban Lake Forest, Deputy Police Chief Gary Wieczorek said. Lake County Coroner Barbara Richardson said the car appeared to have been traveling at high speed. The victims were pronounced dead at the scene.

Weather conditions were good and no evidence of alcohol or other drugs was found in the car, which was registered to the woman, Petra Stoll, 22.

Coach Mike Ditka said that Washington, a second-round draft choice from Texas Christian, was a “coach’s dream (who) worked hard and never complained, never was hurt, never griped. We’re going to try and dedicate the rest of the year to Fred.”

The 6-foot-2, 277-pound Washington had been used sparingly until recent weeks, when he began filling in for injured Dan Hampton.