Fundraiser Launched For Family Of Officer Killed In Crash

WOODRIDGE, IL — A Cook County correctional officer is facing DUI charges after a Monday afternoon crash that killed 27-year-old fellow officer Zachary Perry. At around 4 p.m., Woodridge police, along with Romeoville and Bolingbrook police, responded to a crash involving a box truck and two passenger vehicles near Joliet and Davey roads.

Police said Perry, of Addison, was pronounced dead at the scene, Another driver, 30-year-old Pablo Perez of Berwyn, was taken to an area hospital and later charged with DUI.

A fundraiser has been launched for the family of Perry. As of Thursday, more than $9,000 had been raised towards a $10,000 goal for the campaign, which states: "Money cannot fix what happened here but for someone who was a brother in blue and so much more let’s please try and do what we can to help out."

Both Perry and Perez worked as corrections officers, according to WGN. Perez was de-deputized following the crash Monday pending an investigation, officials told the outlet.

Illinois State Police, Bolingbrook and Romeoville police, and the Felony Investigative Assistance Team (FIAT) are investigating the crash.

Perez is charged with one count of misdemeanor DUI and one count of felony aggravated DUI, according to Will County jail records. He appeared in court Tuesday and bonded out the same day. Jail records indicate his bail was $3,000.

The Cook County Sheriff's Memorial Foundation said it was "heartbroken" to learn of Perry's death, calling Monday a "horribly tragic night for law enforcement." Two Chicago police officers also died Monday when they were struck by a train while pursuing a shooting suspect.

The Cook County Sheriff's Office said Perry worked in Division IX at the Cook County Jail.

Perez's only other brush with the law in Will County appears to be a 2011 citation from the Village of Romeoville for driving 21-25 mph over the limit. Court records indicate he pleaded guilty and was fined $140.

No future court dates for Perez's current charges are currently listed.

Main photo of Zachary Perry via GoFundMe, a Patch promotional partner