(CICERO) While one life was lost in a tragic traffic accident Wednesday morning in west suburban Cicero, another came into the world when a Chicago couple stuck in traffic from the accident gave birth to a son -- in the back seat of their car.

Hector Morales was driving his wife, Kathryn Engle, to the hospital after his she went into labor about 8 a.m., but they got caught in the traffic behind an earlier car accident, according to a statement from Cicero town spokesman Ray Hanania.

An unidentified woman was killed and two other people were critically injured in the accident, which left the car ablaze about 5:30 a.m. near Laramie Avenue and Roosevelt Road, according to Hanania.

But Morales had more to worry about than traffic, as his wife told him she was starting to have the baby as they waited in traffic on Roosevelt Road about a block from the accident scene.

Cicero police officers and firefighters were directing traffic, so Morales jumped out of his car, waving his hands and yelling for help, Hanania said.

Police and fire personnel saw Engle was in labor and realized there was no time to transport her, so they assisted in delivery of the baby in the car.

A Cicero police officer delivered the baby in the back seat of the car, and paramedics took mother and son by ambulance to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park, Hanania said.

The baby, Aidan, wieghed in at 7.9 pounds, and both mother and son are doing fine, according to Morales, who was grateful for the help.

"It saddened us to just find out of the terrible accident that took place hours before, our condolences to the families," the new father said in a statement.

"I do want to thank the Cicero Police and Fire Department. The 911 dispatch center guided us quickly and calmly. At this time mom and baby are resting and bonding. Our family members are visiting and our thanks go out to everyone."

Hanania noted that it was "technically the first baby of 2013 born in Cicero, since Cicero does not have a maternity hospital."

The accident remains under investigation, he said. The female passenger who was killed remains unidentified, while the driver and another passenger remain in serious condition at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood.
© Copyright 2013 Sun-Times Media, LLC