On August 1, 2022 at approximately 1:00 a.m. a Riverside Police Officer on patrol observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed as it crossed over the BNSF railroad tracks at the Longcommon crossing. The vehicle proceeded south on Riverside Road and failed to stop at the stop sign at Burling Road. The Riverside Officer activated the patrol vehicle’s emergency lights and signaled the driver to pull over. The offending vehicle stopped on Riverside Road at Gage Road. As the Officer was exiting his patrol vehicle the offending vehicle quickly drove off and traveled Eastbound on Gage Road then Northbound on South Delaplaine Road. The offending vehicle continued over the BNSF tracks at the Delaplaine crossing and fled Northbound on North Delaplaine Road, in an attempt to elude the Riverside Police Officer. As the offending vehicle approached Longcommon Road the Riverside Officer terminated this pursuit and the offending vehicle traveled south on Longcommon Road at a high rate of speed. Officers that were in the area located the offending vehicle after it had struck a tree at Longcommon Road and Herrick Road and rolled over. The offending vehicle came to rest on its roof in the park located at Longcommon Road and Nuttall Road. As Officers arrived, they observed two occupants attempting to flee from the vehicle. Officers were able to take the driver into custody as the passenger ran from the scene. Officers from Riverside and neighboring agencies including the bloodhound from Cook County Sheriff’s Department attempted to locate the passenger, but were unable to do so.
The results of this crash caused substantial damage to a tree at Longcommon Road and Herrick Road, two street signs, a fire hydrant as well as damage to the parkway and grass.
The driver of this vehicle, Jose Morales from Berwyn, was charged and felony approval was granted for:
- Felony Aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer
- Felony Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
- Numerous traffic citations
- Additional charges are pending toxicology results.
Any inquires may be directed to Matthew Buckley, Director of Public Safety at 708-447-2700 ext. 306.