Man Charged After Fleeing Police, Plowing Into Fire Engine
CHICAGO (STMW) - Authorities threw the book at a motorist who led police on a chase that ended when he plowed into the back of a fire engine, injuring two firefighters and himself early Saturday on the South Side.
Lateritious Dupree, 39, of the 6300 block of South Evans Avenue, was charged at 9:16 a.m. Saturday with felony aggravated DUI, according to police. Dupree was also charged with fleeing and eluding the police, driving on a revoked license, reckless driving, two counts of DUI, and possession of cannabis -- all misdemeanors. He was cited with damage to public property and nine additional traffic violations, police said.
The incident began early Saturday when officers were at a stop light near 59th and Wabash and saw Dupree staring at offices while making "furtive movements" that made the officers think that he was possibly trying to hide a weapon, according to a police report.
Dupree then blew a red light at the intersection and continued westbound on Wabash Avenue. Police activated their emergency lights and sirens and gave chase, the report said. Dupree blew another stop light and several stop signs but finally stopped at 6000 S. King Dr., according to the report.
Officers pulled up beside his car and saw Dupree again make suspicious motions and then begin to lift his left arm. As officers were getting out of their cars, Dupree then took off at a high rate of speed, and entered the southbound Dan Ryan Expressway at 59th and Wells while driving 75-80 mph and recklessly changing lanes, the report said.
Officers in pursuit kept a one city block distance and Dupree exited the expressway onto the 71st Street ramp, where he plowed into the back of Chicago Fire Department Engine No. 271, and spun out, causing damaging to the back of the truck, the report said.
Dupree was arrested almost immediately after the crash, which Fire Media Affairs spokesman Richard Rosado said happened at 12:54 a.m. near South Lafayette Avenue and West 71st Street.
Rosado said a civilian was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in serious-to-critical condition and two firefighters were taken to Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers in Evergreen Park with minor injuries.
Dupree's blood alcohol level was checked at Christ Medical Center and a test revealed it was .225 -- nearly three times the legal limit, according to the report. Officers also found cannabis blunts inside a candy box. He did not have a weapon.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2010. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
