Chicago Cops Hurt In 3 Unrelated Weekend Car Crashes

CHICAGO, IL — Seven Chicago police officers were injured in three unrelated car accidents on the West and South sides of the city over the weekend, including a hit-and-run case, according to reports. Two other people also were hurt in the incidents, which occurred in a period of less than 72 hours.

The incidents happened between just before 9:30 p.m. Friday, June 23, and around 1 a.m. Monday, June 26, and authorities don't believe police were targeted in any of the accidents. The victims in all three cases were taken to area hospitals with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. The following are the details concerning the accidents. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Chicago — or your neighborhood. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Friday, June 23, East Garfield Park

A Chicago police vehicle was hit by a black SUV at around 9:20 p.m. in the 3000 block of West Madison Street while officers were traveling south on Sacramento Avenue in pursuit of another vehicle wanted in an investigation, Fox 32 Chicago reports. The SUV also hit a vehicle stopped in traffic after striking the police vehicle, the report added.

Four officers were taken to Stroger Hospital; two of them in serious-to-critical condition and two of them in fair-to-serious condition, the report stated. The SUV's driver was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in fair-to-serious condition, the report added.

Because of the accident, police were unable to stop the vehicle the injured officers were originally pursuing, according to the report.

Sunday, June 25, Park Manor

An 18-year veteran officer and a woman, 24, were injured in a hit-and-run incident at around 2:20 a.m. in the 6800 block of South State Street, according to the Chicago Tribune. The officer, 43, was interviewing the woman in response to a domestic dispute call when a a maroon vehicle traveling northbound hit the two, the report added.

Both crash victims were taken to Stroger Hospital in serious-to-critical condition, according to the report. Details about the woman's injuries were not immediately known.

The officer suffered a fractured skull, broken tibia and other injuries in the accident, the report stated. He was released from the hospital Sunday afternoon to "recover at home," according to a Twitter update by police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi.

The driver fled the scene following the accident, but hours later, a suspect was in police custody stemming from the incident, Guglielmi wrote in a Twitter update Sunday morning.

It's unclear whether the suspect turned himself in or if he was apprehended by police. Guglielmi told the Tribune on Sunday that the man was expected to be charged with aggravated driving under the influence.

Monday, June 26, Lawndale

A police vehicle heading north on South Albany Avenue was hit at around 1 a.m. in the intersection of West Flournoy Street after a westbound 2003 BMW SUV ran a stop sign, the Tribune reports. Two officers were treated for minor injuries at an area hospital, the report added.

The driver of the SUV was cited for driving without insurance and running a stop sign, the report stated.

More via Fox 32 Chicago and the Chicago Tribune

Photo via Patch archive

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