CPD mourns Officer Tito Rodriguez, killed in Dan Ryan crash

Monday, July 21, 2014

Chicago police officer killed in Dan Ryan crash

Officer Tito Rodriguez, 28, was killed on the Dan Ryan Expressway when another driver struck his motorcycle.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A vigil will be held Monday in honor of Chicago Police Officer Tito Rodriguez, 28, who was killed in a motorcycle accident.

Officer Rodriguez was riding southbound on the Dan Ryan (I-94) near 69th Street when he was struck by a 2007 red Pontiac couple around 2:15 p.m. Sunday.

"Someone cut someone off, swerved, one hit another," crash witness Gene Campbell said. "It's the worst in the world can happen - dragged 20 feet down the expressway."

The driver of the Pontiac was charged with improper lane usage and invalid insurance.

Officer Rodriguez was off-duty when he was killed. He had only been on the force for one year. His roommate, Roger Steele, said Rodriguez's life-long dream was to be a Chicago police officer.

"He's going to be irreplaceable as a friend," Steele said. "I can't imagine what family is going through."

A prayer vigil will be held outside the 6th District Police Station on July 21 at 7 p.m.