Four people hospitalized after Joliet police chase ends in crash: officials

JOLIET, Ill. (WLS) — Four people were hospitalized after a south suburban police chase ended in a crash early Sunday morning, police said.

Joliet police said an officer saw a Cadillac CTS traveling southbound on Raynor Avenue without its headlights or taillights on just before 2 a.m.

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The officer tried to conduct a traffic stop when the Cadillac’s driver, a 21-year-old Joliet man, turned westbound onto Black Road, but he immediately sped away, police said. The officer stopped before reaching Black Road and Midland Avenue due to safety concerns.

Police said the officer and witnesses then saw the Cadillac’s driver run a red light at Black Road and Larkin Avenue, where he collided with a Chevrolet Cruze, which was heading northbound on Larkin on a green light. The crash caused the Cadillac to leave the roadway, strike a utility pole, and overturn in a nearby grassy area.

The Cadillac’s driver, the only person in that vehicle, was extricated and transported to Saint Joseph Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, police said. He was later flown to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood.

Police said the Chevrolet’s driver, a 23-year-old Chicago man, and two passengers, both men, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were also taken to Saint Joseph Medical Center.

The roadway was closed for several hours while investigators reconstructed the crash scene.

Joliet police are investigating and asked anyone with video footage or information to call them at 815-724-3010.