Man Charged with Drug Possession Following Crash with Chicago PD Squad Car

Following a car accident which involved a police squad car earlier this week, a man was formally charged this Wednesday with drug possession in relation to his role in allegedly causing the crash.

The officers were responding to a call and driving near West Morse Avenue and North Sheridan Road, in the Rogers Park neighborhood, when the young man’s Toyota Camry turned left in front of them, hitting the police vehicle. While both of the officers were sent to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston for observation, they suffered only minor injuries.

Following the accident, the man was cited for:

failure to yield while making a left turn
driving without insurance
driving under the influence of alcohol, and
driving under the influence of drugs

According to a news affairs officer, the driver was additionally charged with a felony count of manufacture and delivery of cannabis after officers discovered that the man had nearly 50 grams of the substance on him.

While it is not clear what the extent of the damage to the police car is, the facts seem to make clear that the man was at fault for causing the accident. This means that he will likely be liable for the costs of repairs, and potentially even for the officers’ resulting medical care. Even though he was not driving with insurance at the time, he is still personally liable for his actions. Also, if he was not the owner of the car, there may be a separate policy under which it is registered.

Many people are surprised to learn that in cases where the other driver is driving without insurance, they might still have a claim under an uninsured motorist claim on their own policy if they were injured as the result of the other driver’s negligence. This type of coverage is meant to ensure that drivers will be able to cover the costs of repairs following an accident.

Nearly 50,000 drivers are taken into custody for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in our state annually, according to the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office. Driving under the influence can lead to catastrophic injuries and in some cases even death. Although an impaired driver may ultimately be held accountable criminally, civil remedies, such as financial compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, or wrongful death, are also potential options for the victims of these tragic accidents.

If you were hurt in a car accident that was caused by an impaired driver, or a loved one was killed in a DUI or other traffic accident in Chicago, you should contact the dedicated lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. Our experienced Chicago drunk driving accident attorneys are available at any time, night or day, in order to answer your questions, and help you decide whether to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim. Our hardworking attorneys have many years of experience advocating on behalf of clients who were injured by impaired motorists throughout Chicago. To speak with one of our qualified car accident attorneys today, give us a call at (312) 475-9596 or contact us through our website, to schedule your free initial consultation.