Crash Report Sounds Like “Police Covering Up for Police,” Mother Says

Sheriff's investigation places blame Brian Dewitt, who died in October crash with squad car

The mother of a teen driver killed in an October crash with a police officer's squad car says the sheriff's department finding sounds "like police covering up for police."

Debbie Dewitt's son, 18-year-old Brian Dewitt, was killed in the crash in the intersection of 95th and Central Park Avenue, in Evergreen Park, on Oct. 5.

The Cook County Sheriff's Office report, released Tuesday, said Dewitt failed to yield while making a left-hand turn.  The report clears the officer involved, who was also injured.

Data could not be retrieved from the dashboard camera mounted in the police vehicle, authorities said.  Questions immediately after the crash included whether or not the officer had his light and siren activated.

"The rumor I heard right now is that the police officer was chasing somebody down and he ran into him," Dewitt's uncle, Joe Novak, said at the time.

Debbie Dewitt has sued the village and the unnamed police officer who was driving the car.

Evergreen Park police Chief Michael Saunders said he "felt bad for the family," but declined further comment because of pending litigation.

 

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