Illinois Injury Law Blog

An ambulance stolen in Chicago caused a six-car accident as a result of being driven too fast and too carelessly in a north suburb of Evanston, Illinois on March 24, 2009.

The accident occurred around 3 p.m. at the intersection of Chicago and Dempster says Evanston police Commander Tom Guenther. Cmdr. Guenther also said there were several injuries, although he did not provide details. A witness said as many as eight people were injured.

The ambulance looks to have been stolen from a Chicago nursing home. The suspect then drove north on Chicago Avenue into Evanston, Guenther said. The van struck a parked vehicle at Chicago and Washington, but did not stop.

"He just kept going at a high rate of speed," Guenther said. "He was driving very erratically and it is possible the driver was impaired."

The vehicle, a private ambulance, continued north on Chicago until causing the pile-up at Dempster, Guenther said.

Witness Robert Skertich of Chicago was also driving north on Chicago when the ambulance passed him driving fast with its lights flashing. The stolen ambulance was not using sirens.

"He ran the red light and just plowed through three cars," said Skertich, a native of Chicago in Evanston to meet with a business client. "Two of those cars were totalled. It was just amazing that no pedestrians were hit."

The driver then got out of the ambulance, Skertich said. "There was blood all over this guy's face and he just started screaming, 'I hate God. I hate God.' then he starts running. Didn't even stop to see if everyone was OK."

Skertich reported that he and a friend who was in the car got out and chased the man, eventually keeping him contained until police arrived.

Skertich said the driver was a "small guy" who put up quite a fight when officers tried to arrest him. Cmdr. Guenther confirmed that the driver struggled with police officers before being taken into custody.

The suspect was among those injured in the accident, and received medical care, Guenther said. He is now in the custody of Evanston police awaiting the filing of charges.

Chicago police confirmed that a private medical ambulance was stolen from a nursing home in the 7400 block of North Clark at about 2:40 p.m. March 24, 2009. News Affairs Officer Joanne Taylor said there were no patients or staff inside the vehicle at the time.

"We understand the vehicle was recovered after causing property damage in Evanston, and the case may involve a DUI," Taylor said.

Guenther said the intersection of Dempster and Chicago remained close at 5:15 p.m., but police had it reopened by 6 p.m.

Car Accidents in Chicago

Unfortunately, accidents are a regular occurrence in our city and across the country. Sometimes it is because of negligence on the part of another person. It is our mission to assist those who may have been injured or harmed due to the negligence of another driver. Whether your injuries consist of whiplash or burns to your head or neck, nerve damage or spinal chord injures, broken or dislocated a bones or limbs, or loss of life, our attorneys are specifically trained to assist you in your time of need.

Stolen ambulance causes six-car crash in Evanston, SunTimes.com, March 24, 2009