A Markham police officer was injured during a pursuit early Sunday after a report of a shooting in the south suburb, authorities said.
Around 5 a.m., officers responded to a call of shots fired in the area of 159th Street and Dixie Highway, Markham Police Chief Mack Sanders said in a statement.
An officer in the area at the time saw a vehicle flee the scene, according to Sanders, and the driver refused to stop until it was in the area of 146th Street and Western Avenue, at which point a female occupant exited the passenger side of the vehicle.
While an officer attempted to take the woman into custody, the driver of the vehicle once again drove away, officials said – hitting the officer with the car.
The officer “sustained an injury to his body and head” and was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in serious condition, according to police.
“They thought that the guy was going to cooperate,” Sanders said. “At that point when the vehicle fled again, that’s when he sustained his injury.”
The vehicle that fled the scene later crashed in Blue Island, where a male occupant was taken into custody as well. Authorities said that passenger suffered a gunshot wound from the earlier incident, and was taken to an area hospital for treatment.
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The driver of the car fled the scene of the crash, according to police, who continue to search for the suspect.
The injured officer, a man in his 30s who has been on the force for less than two years, was conscious and responsive Sunday afternoon but will remain in the hospital for observation, according to Sanders.
“Unfortunately, he probably has to spend Christmas in the hospital,” Sanders said, adding, “We are just thankful God was watching with our officer today and nobody other than him got hurt.”
Both passengers of the car remain in custody, and the investigation remains ongoing, according to police.
