Driver, 3 passengers charged after crashing stolen car in Chicago Northwest Side business
CHICAGO (CBS) — A driver and three passengers were charged after crashing a stolen car into an Edison Park business Friday night.
Lejuan Hamblin, 21, was charged in connection with having a stolen car and unlawful use of a weapon. Three others were also charged with misdemeanors for being in the stolen car
Police say the driver was speeding on Touhy Avenue just after 10:30 p.m. in the 7600 block of West Touhy Avenue in the Edison Park neighborhood while being chased by a Chicago police helicopter.
That is when the stolen car slammed into a building near Ottawa Avenue.
The driver was taken to Lutheran Hospital in critical condition with leg and spine injuries. Four others who were in the stolen car were also taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
One man who was standing near the crash site says his car was one of the ones hit.
"Crashed into my car on Milwaukee and Elston. He's driving like a maniac, turned off his lights, and crashes into these innocent people," Edward Thomas said.
The owner of the cleaners in the building that was struck says he's been at the location for 20 years and was in the process of selling the building. A gym owner from around the corner where the crash happened also said that speed had been an issue, and speed cameras were placed in the area following a fatal accident a few years ago.
Police say they found a gun at the scene. They say the gun they found at the scene had a high-capacity magazine, a silencer, and a laser on it.
