911 dispatcher killed in police chase accident

July 10, 2011 (CHICAGO)

The chase ended with a crash Sunday morning at Armitage and Hoyne. The victim has been identified as Marciea Adkins, 42, of Chicago.

Office of Emergency Management and Communications Executive Gary Shenkel released a statement on behalf of the organization, saying that they are "shocked and deeply saddened" over the accident. Adkins apparently worked at the OEMC since December of 1996.

Accident reconstruction police were on the scene Sunday, trying to determine exactly what happened. They say the incident appears to have started with police officers chasing a silver Range Rover SUV at approximately 6:15 a.m. Sunday. During the course of the chase, other vehicles reportedly were struck at two different locations. One of those vehicles was a police squad car. No one was injured at those locations.

However, when the Range Rover reached the area near Armitage and Hoyne, authorities say it hit a black Subaru with a female driver inside, sending that car onto the curb. Adkins was rushed to Illinois Masonic Hospital, but she did not survive.

As authorities continued to investigate further details, they would not confirm reports that the Range Rover was a stolen vehicle.

There were early-morning reports that the suspect police were chasing was taken into custody.

Statement by OEMC Executive Gary Schenkel regarding the death of a 911 police dispatcher
On behalf of the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications, we are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the death of a female Police 9-1-1 dispatcher this morning. The dispatcher was driving home after her shift when she was struck and killed by another driver early this morning.

We are not releasing the dispatcher's name at this time pending the notification of next of kin. I also ask that the media respect the family's privacy during this difficult time.

She was 42 years old and had worked at the OEMC since December 1996. According to her coworkers and supervisors, she was the nicest, most positive person you would ever want to meet.

We extend our deepest sympathy to her family. Grief counselors will be on site to assist OEMC employees.

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