Cop Error In Westmont Squad Car Crash?

WESTMONT, IL – A civilian was ticketed in a crash involving two Westmont squad cars, but the police department's own report indicates it was an officer who rear-ended a fellow officer's car.

Police have reported that Niel Weerakoon, 48, of Downers Grove, was cited on a charge of failing to yield to an emergency vehicle.

But Westmont police officers Hunter Vincent and Erik Santiago appear to have received no tickets – at least so far. Both officers were taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, police said.

Patch obtained the crash report through a public records request.

According to the report, Vincent and Santiago were responding to an emergency call shortly after midnight July 16, heading east on Ogden Avenue near Stonegate Road. Vincent was directly behind Santiago in the left lane of traffic, police said.

Their emergency lights and sirens were activated. Santiago turned on his air horn as he approached Weerakoon's car, the report said.

Weerakoon slowed down or stopped in front of Santiago, causing Santiago to slow down significantly, police said. Vincent did not see Santiago slowing down and struck the rear of Santiago's squad car, according to the report. Santiago was pushed onto the median, running over a tree, police said. His car ended up in the westbound lanes of Ogden, facing east.

As a result of the impact, Vincent spun 90 degrees in the left lane of eastbound Ogden and ended up facing north after the crash occurred, the report said.

According to the report, Weerakoon said he did not know what to do when he saw the blue lights and was unsure if he was being stopped.

Police have given no word on the officers' condition.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story said the following police officer's name was Vincent Hunter. It is Hunter Vincent.