Man struck, killed by unmarked Chicago police squad in South Chicago

Tanja Babich Image
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Man struck, killed by squad car
A man was struck and killed by an unmarked Chicago police squad car in the city's South Chicago neighborhood overnight.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A 60-year-old man was struck and killed by an unmarked Chicago police squad car in the city's South Chicago neighborhood overnight.

The man, who has not been identified, was walking east on 79th Street near Burnham around 1:15 a.m. Wednesday when he was struck by the squad car. He was pinned underneath and had to be extricated by emergency crews. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

"He was wearing black clothing. And he was looking out for the bus trying to see if the bus was coming. And that's the point when the car came out and hit him, as soon as he was looking out for the bus," Tareon Hardin, who saw the incident from his window, said.

Witnesses also said the street lights in the area have been out for several days.

"Yeah, you can't see. And if you be standing out on that bus stop, the bus won't see you either. So you gotta jump out, wave your arms a little bit. Get somebody's attention or something so they see you," Davontae Watts, who lives near the scene, said.

Chicago Alderman Natashia Holmes said she reported the lights were out last Thursday. Power was restored to the street lights around 6:15 a.m. Wednesday while police wrapped up their on-site investigation.

Officials have not identified the police officer involved, but said he was on duty at the time of the crash.