Off-Duty Police Officer, IDOT Minuteman Hurt In Dan Ryan Crash
CHICAGO (CBS) -- An off-duty Steger police officer apparently fell asleep at the wheel, and crashed into and an IDOT minuteman truck Tuesday night on the Dan Ryan Expressway.
Steger Police said the part-time officer was driving home from work after an 8 1/2-hour shift, and was headed north on the Dan Ryan around 10:45 p.m., when he hit the back of an IDOT tow truck, which was stopped on the left shoulder, with its lights activated.
"Reportedly the officer stated he must have fallen asleep then lost control of his vehicle," Steger police stated in a news release.
According to Steger police, the off-duty officer had just finished his shift at 10 p.m.
The officer and the IDOT tow truck driver were taken to Stroger Hospital. Illinois State Police said the IDOT driver's injuries were minor.
Steger Police Chief Ken Boehm said the injurd officer was sexpected to have surgery on Wednesday for "serious injuries."
"At this time our thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family in hopes of a speedy recovery," Boehm said.