Stolen Car Crash on Magnificent Mile Sends Seven to Hospitals
CHICAGO — A stolen car ran a red light and crashed on the Magnificent Mile on Wednesday night, resulting in seven people, including three young children, being sent to hospitals, according to Chicago police.
Shortly before 9 p.m., Illinois State Police troopers working with a citywide hijacking task force mission spotted the stolen Jeep Cherokee on northbound Lake Shore Drive near the Chicago River.
Troopers and other task force units pursued the Jeep, which fled north, exited at Belmont, and then headed back south on the drive. The Jeep’s 16-year-old male driver exited at Michigan Avenue, ran a red light at Chicago Avenue, and crashed into a van. A Jeep Compass and a Honda SUV were also struck, police said.
The 16-year-old driver was arrested after a short foot chase and taken to Stroger Hospital in fair condition. His female passenger, whose age was not released, was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in fair condition. Charges are pending against both of them.
EMS transported a woman and a six-year-old girl from the van to Northwestern and Lurie Children’s Hospital, respectively. Both were in fair condition.
Three occupants of the Jeep Compass were taken to hospitals: a woman to Northwestern in good condition and children ages 4 and 6 years old in fair condition to Lurie.
The stolen Jeep Cherokee was recently taken from the 3500 block of West Cullom in Albany Park. The police classified it as a “straight steal,” indicating a routine auto theft rather than a carjacking.
Chicago police have collaborated with Illinois State Police troopers for vehicle chases, as ISP’s pursuit policy is less restrictive than CPD’s. ISP has been effective in assisting with pursuits when their units are available.
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