Evanston Cop Credited For Rescue Of Man Pinned Under Car

EVANSTON, IL — An plainclothes police officer helped rescue a man struck by a car and trapped underneath Friday outside an Evanston strip mall, authorities said.

Around 12:30 p.m., a 72-year-old Skokie woman drove a Toyota over a barrier and into a pedestrian and a concrete planter at Southpoint Plaza in the 600 block of Chicago Avenue. Her car came to a stop on top of the left leg of a 37-year-old Chicago man, pinning him under it, according to police.

Evanston Fire Department Deputy Chief Kim Kull said a police officer out of uniform, assisted by bystanders, was able to extricate the man's leg from below the car as rescuers headed to the scene.

"He was underneath the car, which was on top of where the planters were," Kull said. "He was basically shoved into the dirt when he was hit by the car."

Kull said the officer applied a tourniquet to the man's wounded left leg and helped stop the bleeding just before a fire department ambulance arrived. She said paramedics treated the man until his condition was stabilized before taking him to St. Francis Hospital.

"It was wonderful that the police officer was able to assist the way they had — and other bystanders," Kull said.

Police Communications Coordinator Perry Polinski said the driver is not facing any criminal charges or traffic citations in connection with the incident.