JOLIET, Ill. (WLS) — Four people were taken to hospitals after a police pursuit in the south suburbs ended in a crash early Sunday, authorities said.
According to Joliet police, an officer spotted a Cadillac CTS heading south on Raynor Avenue shortly before 2 a.m. with neither its headlights nor taillights activated.
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Police said the officer attempted to pull the vehicle over after the driver, identified as a 21-year-old Joliet man, turned west onto Black Road. The driver then quickly accelerated away. Citing safety concerns, the officer discontinued the pursuit before reaching the area of Black Road and Midland Avenue.
Investigators said the officer and witnesses saw the Cadillac run a red light at Black Road and Larkin Avenue, where it struck a Chevrolet Cruze traveling north on Larkin Avenue with a green light. The impact sent the Cadillac off the road, where it hit a utility pole and overturned in a grassy area nearby.
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The Cadillac driver, who was the sole occupant of the car, had to be extricated and was brought to Saint Joseph Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, police said. He was later airlifted to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood.
The driver of the Chevrolet, a 23-year-old Chicago man, and two male passengers were also transported to Saint Joseph Medical Center with injuries that were not considered life-threatening, police said.
The roadway remained shut down for several hours as investigators processed and reconstructed the crash scene.
Joliet police said the investigation is ongoing and urged anyone with video or information to contact investigators at 815-724-3010.
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