Evanston Cop Charged With Hit-and-Run Near Indiana Casino

EVANSTON, IL - A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Daniel J. Kooi, an Evanston police officer accused of a hit-and-run crash last August that seriously injured a motorcyclist in Northwest Indiana.

Kooi, 40, of Lansing was charged last week with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury and leaving the scene of an accident, according to the Times of Northwest Indiana.

The crash occurred shortly before midnight on Aug. 23 at the intersection of Indianapolis Boulevard and Casino Center Drive in Hammond, just outside the Horseshoe Casino. Kooi was allegedly driving a gray 2005 Toyota while northbound on Indianapolis Blvd. when he collided with the motorcycle, a 2005 Suzuki driven by Matthew Carlassare.

Both drivers had green lights, but Carlassare had the right of way. He suffered serious injuries, including a cardiac contusion, multiple fractures and a fractured clavicle.

Kooi, a 13-year veteran of the EPD, has been on unpaid administrative leave since days following the accident, the Times reports.

more via the Times of Northwest Indiana