Two separate collisions involving Chicago police vehicles and SUVs occurred minutes apart on Wednesday evening on the city's Far South Side, resulting in minor injuries to three officers and two civilians. According to the Chicago Tribune, the first incident took place shortly before 7:30 p.m. in the West Pullman neighborhood, where a police SUV responding to reports of gunfire collided with another vehicle.
The Chicago police reported the squad car was en route with sirens blaring to a reported shots fired call, when it struck a black SUV in the 500 block of West 107th Street. The SUV's occupants, a 32-year-old man, and a 31-year-old woman fled by foot, but were apprehended shortly after near the scene. They refused medical attention; meanwhile, two officers involved were taken to the hospital for minor injuries and listed in good condition. While citations are pending, the Major Accident Investigation Unit is still reviewing the accident.
Merely minutes after the West Pullman accident, a similar collision was reported in the Roseland neighborhood involving another Chicago police vehicle, as confirmed by the Chicago Sun-Times. A squad car with sirens activated while responding to assist another officer collided with an SUV at the intersection of the 11500 block of South State Street.
The collision resulted in an 88-year-old man driving the SUV, and his 32-year-old passenger being transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn for evaluation. Both are currently listed in good condition. An officer also suffered minor injuries, and was in good condition after being taken to a local hospital, police said. As with the first incident no, citations will be issued regarding the West Pullman collision while investigations continue.
