Police: Robbery Suspects Caused I-57 Crash That Injured 7
Updated 06/14/12 - 6 p.m.
MARKHAM (CBS) -- Two men suspected in a Far South Side robbery allegedly caused a three-car crash on Interstate 57 on Thursday, after they fled from police onto the interstate.
Illinois State Police said the crash happened around 1:15 p.m. in the southbound lanes of I-57 at 159th Street, near Markham.
According to Chicago Police News Affairs, the incident started with a robbery near 117th Street and Western Avenue. The suspects fled the scene and, when police attempted a traffic stop a short time later, the suspects sped away. When the suspects entered I-57, police ended their pursuit, but the suspects apparently continued speeding along I-57, causing a crash with two other vehicles near the 159th Street exit.
All lanes of I-57 were closed in both directions for a few hours as police investigated the crash, but had reopened by early Thursday evening.
Two victims were airlifted to local hospitals with life-threatening injuries, police said. Five others were taken to local hospitals by ambulance, but their injuries were not considered life-threatening.
Two robbery suspects were among those injured, and were in custody at a local hospital, but Chicago police said their conditions were unknown as of Thursday evening.
Chicago Police were investigating the robbery, while Illinois State Police were investigating the crash.
