Driver Charged With DUI In Crash That Hurt 4 Cops
CHICAGO (STMW) -- An allegedly drunk driver has been charged in connection with a three-vehicle crash that injured nine people — including four police officers — early Monday on the Far South Side.
A man traveling southbound in a Nissan Ultima in the 10200 block of South Indianapolis Avenue struck an unmarked police vehicle parked for a traffic stop about 12:05 a.m., causing a chain reaction, police News Affairs Officer Jose Estrada said.
The Nissan hit the squad car from behind, pushing it into a Chevy Tahoe, Estrada said. An additional squad car assisting during the traffic stop was also struck.
Melvin Brown, 69, has been charged with felony aggravated DUI causing an accident involving bodily harm, as well as two misdemeanor counts of DUI, according to a police News Affairs release.
He was also cited for negligent driving and failing to stay in his lane, the release said.
Police said Monday morning four police officers were taken to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
Of the nine adults involved in the crash, two were taken in critical condition to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County; one was taken in critical condition to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn; one was taken in fair-to-serious condition to Advocate Trinity Hospital; four were taken in fair-to-serious condition to Roseland Community Hospital; and one refused treatment, fire officials said.
Brown, of the 8100 block of South South Shore Drive, was ordered held on $50,000 bond at a hearing Wednesday, officials said.
He will next appear in court Nov. 8.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
