Markham police officer injured after chase, crash

MARKHAM, Ill. (WLS) -- A Markham police officer sustained a head injury early Sunday while pursuing a vehicle suspected of being involved in a gas station shoot-out.

Markham Police Chief Mack Sanders said police officers responded to a call of shots fired in the area of 159th Street and Dixie Highway at about 5 a.m. An officer in the area observed the suspect's vehicle flee the scene.

The suspect's vehicle refused to stop, and a female occupant exited the vehicle at 146th Street and Western Avenue, police said. While attempting to stop the vehicle, an officer sustained an injury to his body and head and transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center.

The officer, a two-year veteran of the department, is expected to be released from the hospital Monday morning and make a full recovery.

The driver tried to get away again but then crashed near 127th Street and California Avenue in Blue Island. The driver ran away but police found a man with a gunshot wound inside the vehicle.