Calumet City Man Leads Cops in Car Chase Down Railroad Tracks: Police

A Calumet City man wanted on an active warrant for failure to appear in court on a suspended license violation led Evergreen Park officers in a car chase down the CSX railroad tracks early Friday morning, police said.

According to the charges, officers observed a Dodge driven by a man later identified as 24-year-old Michael A. Harrington displaying a temporary license plate meant for a Hyundai around 5:58 a.m.

Police said when officers tried to pull Harrington over he refused to stop. Instead, he fled officers, ignoring a red light at 95th Street and California Avenue, where he struck another vehicle. The occupants of the car he hit did not wish to be taken by ambulance to a hospital.

As Harrington continued to elude police, he drove his car north onto the CSX railroad tracks, eventually abandoning his vehicle in the 9200 block of the tracks, police said.

The Calumet City man allegedly exited the vehicle and ran away. Harrington was apprehended a few moments later behind the Menard’s store at 9100 S. Western Ave.

The abandoned vehicle was later struck on a northbound train, causing the gates to be lowered at 91st and 95th Street railroad crossings.

Police said Harrington complained of back pain upon his arrest. He was brought to Little Company of Mary Hospital for treatment and released back into police custody.

Harrington, of the 1900 block of Stonegate Drive, Calumet City, was charged with two felony counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding, felony criminal damage to property, and misdemeanor trespassing. He was also issued several traffic citations.

Police said Harrington had an active warrant for failure to appear in court for driving on a suspended license.

Bail was set at $75,000. Harrington is due back in court on Jan. 21 in Bridgeview.