5 Hurt in Crash Involving Chicago Police Squad Car

Incident occurred in Garfield Park neighborhood, authorities say injuries are non-life-threatening.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 11:07am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a damaged police car side mirror or broken glass from the crash, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the gritty aftermath of the collision.The aftermath of a high-speed collision between a Chicago police vehicle and a civilian SUV exposes the risks and consequences of emergency response crashes.Chicago Today

A crash early Sunday morning in Chicago's Garfield Park neighborhood left five people injured, including two Chicago police officers, when a driver of a gray SUV failed to slow down and collided with a police squad car responding to a call with lights and sirens activated. The SUV driver and two other men were taken to a local hospital and are expected to recover, as are the two officers.

Why it matters

Police chases and high-speed responses can pose risks to both officers and civilians, underscoring the need for careful driving protocols and safety measures. This incident highlights the dangers first responders face and the importance of all drivers remaining alert and yielding to emergency vehicles.

The details

According to police, the crash occurred around 12:01 a.m. in the 3800 block of West Washington Avenue. The Chicago police officers were driving to a call with their lights and sirens on when a 42-year-old man driving a gray SUV failed to slow down and crashed into the squad car. In addition to the two officers, the SUV driver and two other men in the vehicle were taken to a local hospital, all with non-life-threatening injuries. The SUV driver was taken into custody, with charges and citations pending. Three parked cars were also struck in the collision.

  • The crash occurred around 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, April 12, 2026.

The players

Chicago Police Department

The local law enforcement agency whose officers were involved in the crash while responding to an emergency call.

42-year-old SUV driver

The driver of the gray SUV who failed to slow down and collided with the police squad car, leading to the multi-vehicle crash.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The driver of the SUV will face charges and citations pending the outcome of the police investigation into the crash.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the dangers first responders face and the importance of all drivers remaining alert and yielding to emergency vehicles to prevent such collisions and protect public safety.