The Champaign Police Department inadvertently erred yesterday evening in releasing information that the driver of the suspect vehicle was deceased after fleeing from police and getting into an accident at Bradley and Walnut. The driver is alive and still receiving treatment at Carle Hospital. The Police Department regrets releasing incorrect information. The Police Department is examining why this error occurred, and is determining what steps will be taken in the future to keep this from occurring in the future.
Date: July 25, 2014
Time: 6:00 p.m.
The Champaign Police Department is currently investigating a fatal traffic crash which occurred on Friday, July 25, 2014 at approximately 12:40 a.m. in the area of Bradley Avenue and Walnut Street.
A police officer initially attempted to stop a vehicle on Garden Hills while it was traveling northbound from Bradley due to the registered owner of the vehicle having a suspended license. The vehicle increased its speed in an attempt to elude that officer and that officer shut off his emergency lights and sirens and disengaged from attempting to make the traffic stop on Summerlin. A second officer was nearly struck by the suspect vehicle on Hedge Road and the suspect vehicle was last seen travelling eastbound on Bradley Ave. near Prospect Ave. That second officer never attempted to stop the suspect vehicle.
A short time later, the vehicle was involved in single vehicle traffic crash at the intersection of Bradley Avenue and Walnut Street where it had struck a utility pole. A passenger exited the vehicle and was later found in the 1200 block of Walnut Street. The driver was found in the vehicle unresponsive. Officers on the scene provided immediate first aid until CFD and ambulance personnel arrived. The driver was transported to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
The name of the driver is not being released at this time pending next of kin notification by the Champaign County Coroner’s Office. Police are currently investigating this incident and will provide updates as they become available.