High Speed Chase Ends with Car Crashing Into Tree

Video by Todd Sherman/Network Video Productions

A Lincoln Town car smashed into a tree after a high speed chase along the Palos Park and Orland Park border early Monday morning.

Palos Park Police Chief Joe Miller said that a police officer stopped in the Mill Creek shopping mall saw the white Lincoln Town car driving erratically at a high rate of speed southbound on LaGrange Road around 12:50 a.m.

The car then crossed into the northbound lanes of LaGrange Road heading southbound before turning on to 131st Street.

“Apparently the driver spotted the officer before the officer spotted him,” Miller said. “The car proceeded eastbound on 131st Street after going through the red light on LaGrange Road.”

The police officer continued to chase the car where it reportedly ran another red light at 131st Street and Southwest Highway, when the driver lost control and slammed into a tree.

“The officer approached the vehicle and tried to stop it,” Miller said. “After it crashed the suspect fled on foot.”

Orland Park, Bedford Park and Cook County Sheriff’s police searched the ground with a police canine while a helicopter did a flyover by air.

Palos Park police have identified the driver and are communicating with the family for the driver to turn himself in.

Miller said there is no threat or danger to the public.