1 killed, 2 injured in McKinley Park crash after Chicago police chase

CHICAGO (WLS) -- One person was killed and two others injured after a car being pursued by officers crashed in McKinley Park Tuesday morning, Chicago police said.

Officers with the Priority Response Team focusing on robberies in the area of the 5500-block of South Pulaski Road were on patrol at about 1:58 a.m. when they saw two suspects believed to be armed getting into a black Lexus sedan, police said.

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Officers went to investigate and the Lexus fled at a high rate of speed, with officers in pursuit, police said.

CPD chase policy requires officers to get authorization for a vehicle pursuit only if the need to immediately apprehend the fleeing suspect outweighs the level of danger created by the motor vehicle pursuit. Investigators said the officers involved thought the two individuals were armed.

The driver of the Lexus eventually crashed into a Kia SUV in the intersection of 35th and Ashland, police said. The impact sent the Lexus careening into a building on the corner.

A passenger in the Lexus was ejected from the car and pronounced dead, police said. A group of women showed up at the crash site Tuesday afternoon, saying they were related to that passenger.

The driver of the Lexus suffered a leg injury and was taken to Stroger Hospital in stable condition, police said.

The driver of the Kia SUV suffered minor injuries and was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center.

No officers were injured.

Emergency crews remained on site aftermath of the crash trying to secure a building that partially collapsed because of the impact. By Tuesday afternoon, crews had begun demolishing what was left of the building.

Two weapons were recovered from inside the Lexus, police said. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating the incident.