Off-Duty Chicago Cop Killed In Crash After On-Duty Officers Mistakenly Chase Him

CHICAGO, IL — An off-duty Chicago officer and a woman died Tuesday morning after they were pinned in their vehicles following a West Side crash that Chicago's top cop called "horrific." On-duty Chicago police officers had been pursuing their off-duty colleague before the collision, mistaking his vehicle for one connected to a previous crime, Supt. Eddie Johnson said at a Tuesday morning press conference.

The crash happened at around 1 a.m. Tuesday, June 27, in the 4400 block of West Roosevelt Road in the Lawndale neighborhood. On-duty officers in an unmarked car spotted the off-duty officer's SUV, which matched the description of a vehicle that was used in an earlier crime, Johnson said. During the chase, the officers switched on their car's lights, but they were turned off right before the collision, Johnson added. No sirens were used because unmarked cars are not outfitted with them. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for the West Side and Chicago — or other neighborhoods. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

The accident occurred as the off-duty cop sped into the intersection of West Roosevelt and South Kostner Avenue, Johnson said. Both vehicles then caught fire after the drivers were pinned in them, according to ABC 7 Eyewitness News. The off-duty officer and the women were pronounced dead at the scene, and authorities have not released their names, the report added.

Johnson said he believed the pursuing officers followed police protocols when chasing the off-duty officer. He added that it appeared that the on-duty officers didn't know they were going after an off-duty cop at the time.

Johnson cautioned that the crash investigation was in the preliminary stages and that there were still many unanswered questions. In an effort for the department to remain transparent because the accident involved an off-duty officer, the Independent Police Review Authority will be investigating the crash.

The Major Accidents Investigation Unit had been investigating the crash. Detectives were piecing together an accident timeline using security camera footage and other evidence.

Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi told the Chicago Sun-Times the officer had just left work in the 10th Distrct before the crash. He had planned to visit his girlfriend, the report added.

"This is among the most difficult heartbreaking messags I've had to make due to the unnecessary loss of life," Johnson said, offering his condolences to both victims' families.

WATCH: Chicago police Supt. Eddie Johnson talks to reporters about a two-vehicle crash Tuesday that killed an off-duty officer and a woman.

Grief counselors will be offered for Chicago Police Department staff in the aftermath of the officer's death.

"I just really, really want to say how sorry we are that this happened," Johnson said.

RELATED: Chicago Cops Hurt In 3 Unrelated Weekend Car Crashes

Tuesday's fatal crash is the fourth traffic accident in nearly five days involving a Chicago police officer. But authorities don't believe officers are being targeted in these incidents, which have injured seven on-duty cops.

Photo via Patch archive

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