Three Chicago police officers were seriously injured Wednesday when their unmarked squad car rolled over as the driver swerved to avoid another vehicle, a department spokeswoman said.
The officers were responding to a call of a robbery in progress near the 7000 block of South Stony Island Avenue around 11:30 a.m. when the call was elevated to one of shots fired.
While en route, the female officer behind the wheel swerved to avoid another vehicle and hit two utility poles, causing the car to flip.
All three officers, assigned to the department's Area Central Gang Enforcement Division, were injured but were in stable condition by 3:30 p.m.
Two officers, Brian McVey and Jamake Sherrod, were taken to Northwestern Hospital. The third went to John H. Stroger Jr., Hospital of Cook County.
McVey, 35, was the most seriously injured. He fractured his hip and complained of pain in his wrist and foot.
"One of the first things he said to me was, 'Thank God I was wearing my seat belt because I probably wouldn't be here talking about it,'" police Supt. Garry McCarthy said outside the hospital.
Despite the injuries, McVey's father said his son was in "good spirits."
"He said it happened so quick he don't remember nothing," said Dave McVey.
Sherrod, 30, and Officer Dwayne McGee, 38, were less seriously injured.
The officers have a combined 23 years on the force.
