DEA agent injured during SW Side drug sting

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A federal agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration was injured after being struck by a car during a drug arrest Sunday afternoon on the city's Southwest Side, the DEA confirms.

The DEA special agent assigned to the Chicago Field Division was injured at 82nd and Kedzie in Chicago's Ashburn neighborhood and was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he is being treated for a head injury and a broken leg.

The driver of the car had been stopped pulling into a Citgo gas station just before 1 p.m. Sunday, acting on information the driver was transporting cocaine. As agents and officers were attempting to arrest the driver, the suspect drove out of the gas station, striking the agent, who was on foot, as well as two other vehicles, before fleeing the scene.

"As I pulled up on the scene, I see someone laying on the ground at the gas station," said witness Quaan Smith. "We didn't see who it was he was just laying there, we tried to assist and officers said, 'Stay back stay back.'"

Smith stayed back as he saw officers chase the suspect who fled the scene. Shots were fired.

"We hear everybody yelling, 'Get this person, get this person,' and the car just fled. He sped off at a high speed and the officers took a high speed chase after them," Smith said.

Area residents couldn't believe such an incident could happen on what they call a relatively safe neighborhood and on a busy street during a Sunday afternoon.

"It's a blessing that no bystanders were hurt, injured in this incident, because in many times, that's not the case," said witness Brenda Daniels.

The car was found abandoned several blocks away. The DEA says it was recovered with drugs inside.

While the special agent recovers at Christ Hospital, the suspect is recovering from a gunshot wound after he was apparently caught while seeking treatment at another local hospital.