Off-Duty Sheriff's Officer Commits Suicide After Crash
Getty Images
An off-duty officer with the Cook County Sheriff's Department rear-ended a car, fled the scene, then went home and apparently shot himself, according to authorities.
An off-duty Cook County Sheriff’s correctional sergeant appears to have fatally shot himself Thursday night after crashing his Chevy Blazer into another car and then fleeing the scene, authorities said.
Edwin Garcia, 40, of the 2000 block of North Karlov Avenue, was found fatally shot inside his home and was pronounced dead on the scene at 12:20 a.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.
Garcia suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, authorities said. An autopsy is scheduled for later Friday.
Cook County Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Lisa Gordon said Garcia was a correctional sergeant. She confirmed the death is an apparent suicide.
Prior to the shooting, Garcia was driving a 2002 Chevrolet Blazer that rear-ended a 1993 Honda Accord at 3400 W. Fullerton Ave., according to Chicago police. After the initial crash, the Honda then struck a 2006 Acura.
Garcia's Blazer fled after the crash, police said.
The 19-year-old woman driving the Honda was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in good condition, police said. The 20-year-old man driving the Acura refused treatment.
Grand Central Area detectives are investigating.
Copyright SunTimes
Posted Thursday, Jul 30, 2009 - 1:44 PM CST
