Local Police Reports, Park Forest

Shots Fired On Nauvoo; Suspect Vehicle Causes Crash, Innocent Driver Critical


Park Forest Police vehicle
A Park Forest Police vehicle. (Photo: Gary Kopycinski)

Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- A vehicle suspected in a shooting on Nauvoo Street caused a crash leaving an innocent driver in critical condition. Park Forest police are seeking information about the alleged offenders involved in the shots fired at a pedestrian Sunday on Nauvoo.

According to police, on Sunday, October 22, 2017, at 2:42 PM, Park Forest Police responded to the 100 block of Nauvoo Street in reference to a disturbance with a report of shots being fired at a person who was on foot. While en route to the scene, a description of the alleged offending vehicle was broadcast to officers.

The initial responding officer located a vehicle on Orchard Drive at Sauk Trail that matched description of the alleged offending vehicle. The officer turned around to get behind the suspect vehicle and found the suspect vehicle had turned west onto Sauk Trail, according to police.

The officer then observed that the vehicle had accelerated to a high rate of speed and was already at the intersection of Sauk Trail and Indianwood Boulevard.

The suspect vehicle then caused a traffic crash at Sauk Trail and Minocqua Street, causing a previously uninvolved sports utility vehicle to leave the roadway and strike a tree.

The suspect vehicle then crashed into a house on the 300 block of Sauk Trail and the suspects fled on foot, according to police.

As the first concern of responding officers was to render aid to those involved in the traffic crash, the offenders were not located at that time.

The SUV that struck the tree was occupied by four adults and multiple juveniles. All occupants of the SUV were transported to the hospital for treatment. The driver is currently in critical condition at a trauma hospital. One of the juveniles was transported to Hope Children’s Hospital in stable condition.

“All are expected to survive, and we wish them well on their recovery,” police said in the statement.

Police observed numerous citizens who stopped to render aid to those injured in the traffic crash, and expressed gratitude to those citizens.  “We recognize their selflessness and applaud their willingness to help others in their time of need,” police said.

The victim of the initial disturbance was not injured. Furthermore, investigating officers found no damage and no one struck from the reported shooting.

The Park Forest Police Department Investigations Unit is actively following leads in this case and the investigation is ongoing.

Police ask anyone who may have information about the offenders to contact the Park Forest Police Department Investigations Unit at (708) 748-1309.


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