Mag Mile Crash Startles Holiday Shoppers

A crash in Chicago's Magnificent Mile late Sunday afternoon startled holiday shoppers and briefly snarled traffic near a busy Chicago intersection.

Police responded to a report of a crash involving what appeared to be four vehicles near Michigan Avenue and Delaware Place late Sunday afternoon, according to Chicago Police News Affairs.

Officers were approaching a vehicle when the driver sped off and hit several cars on the busy street, officials said.

Witnesses said the driver took off on foot and entered an American Girl Doll store while being chased by police officers.

An off-duty police officer was driving with his family when he was rear-ended by the offender, he said.

"We were stopped at the stop light and next thing you know we got hit from behind," said Doug Tweedie. "The driver kind of got out, hesitated a little bit, I thought he was stunned from the accident. Then there was an officer running with his gun out telling him to stop and he took off running towards [American Girl Doll]."

Tweedie and other responding officers chased the man into the store's lobby, where he was taken into custody.

The crash and chase stunned the many shoppers on Michigan Avenue Sunday night.

"There's a lot of holiday shoppers out tonight and with all of the people it could have turned out a lot worse," said shopper Lisa Kellough.

Police said the driver is in custody and no injuries were reported in the crash. It was not immediately clear why the driver fled the scene but no charges have been filed.

Contact Us