Hinsdale Cop Hit By Car While Pursuing Suspect: Police

HINSDALE, IL – A Hinsdale officer suffered minor injuries during a chase that ended in Elmhurst earlier this month, authorities said Wednesday.

Police were chasing Juwan Levingston, 40, of Broadview in the early evening of Oct. 2, according to a news release from DuPage County prosecutors.

About 7 p.m., a Willowbrook officer stopped Levingston for only having one functioning headlight and expired license plates, police said.

When the officer asked Levingston for his license and proof of insurance, the suspect sped away, the news release said.

A short time later, Levingston was found heading north on Route 83 just south of Hinsdale, but he continued fleeing, police said. He was seen throwing a loaded Glock 44 .22-caliber handgun out the window on Roosevelt Road in south Elmhurst, police said.

While on Roosevelt, officers boxed in Levingston with their squad cars, prompting him to stop and run away, according to the release.

A Hinsdale officer followed Levingston on foot across the road and was struck by another car, causing him to somersault to the ground, authorities said.

Levingston was arrested a short while later at Brush Hill Road and Atrium Way.

The unidentified Hinsdale officer was taken to a local hospital.

Levingston also was taken to a hospital after making suicidal statements, where he remained for eight days until Tuesday, police said. He was then taken to the DuPage County Jail.

Levingston was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, aggravated fleeing and eluding, and resisting or obstructing a police officer causing injury, all felonies.

On Wednesday, a judge granted the state's request to keep Levingston in jail until trial.

"Most importantly, we are all grateful that the officer involved in this incident did not sustain serious injuries," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. "His efforts in apprehending the defendant in this case after he had been struck by a vehicle, are a testament to DuPage County law enforcement’s commitment to public safety."