Story posted Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Police Chases End In Crashes
Two recent chases in Niles resulted in traffic crashes and charges against the drivers.
A 15-year-old Des Plaines boy was taken into custody after allegedly crashing a stolen car at an unreleased time on Nov. 9. Morton Grove police performed a random registration check on a car at Dempster Street and Shermer Road and determined the vehicle had been reported stolen from the 8800 block of Wisner Avenue in Niles. Officers tried to stop the boy at Caldwell Avenue and Waukegan Road, but he allegedly drove through the red light and fled at a high rate of speed.
The boy allegedly continued through another red light at Caldwell and Oakton Street and officers terminated the chase near Howard Street. Another officer saw him near Touhy Avenue but did not attempt to stop him.
Police shortly discovered he had lost control and crashed into a tree at Caldwell and Wildwood Avenue in Chicago. He was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge for treatment and charged upon his release from the hospital the next day.
The boy was charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle, reckless driving, and fleeing and eluding police. The owner of the vehicle told police she left the keys inside the car and doors unlocked in front of her home before it was taken.
The second incident occurred at 3 p.m. Nov. 8. Brian M. Gusak, 19, of 3741 Knollwood Lane, Glenview, was charged with reckless driving, fleeing and eluding police, speeding more than 40 mph over the limit, no proof of insurance, disobeying a traffic control device, and improper lane usage.
Police were called to the 6400 block of Howard Street for a complaint of motorcyclists speeding and doing stunt driving in a parking lot. When officers arrived, Gusak allegedly sped out of the lot and onto Howard Street. He turned onto Caldwell Avenue and allegedly drove at more than 90 mph on the road and passed other vehicles while driving along the curb.
Gusak allegedly went through the red light at Oakton Street and police terminated the chase.
A short time later, he allegedly crashed near Waukegan Road and Dempster Street in Morton Grove and fled on foot.
After a search of the nearby forest preserve, Gusak telephoned police and arranged to turn himself in to officers. He was treated at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge then released to police for charging.
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