Nine hospitalized after police chase sparks major crash in Chicago

In the West Pullman neighborhood of Chicago on July 9, 2025, a significant accident occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. involving a police chase that ended with a crash between a Pace bus and multiple vehicles. Blue Island police initiated a stop on a vehicle for running a red light, but the driver evaded arrest, leading to a high-speed pursuit northbound on Halsted Street. The fleeing vehicle collided with the Pace bus before crashing into other cars at the intersection of Halsted and Vermont streets. Emergency services responded promptly to the scene, where they found substantial damage to the vehicles involved. Graphic footage from the aftermath revealed a distressed scene with one heavily damaged SUV, two sedans, and the Pace bus. Chicago fire officials confirmed that nine individuals were taken to local hospitals, with five of them suffering from serious to critical injuries, including a child among the victims. The injured were transported to various medical facilities such as Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn and Comer Children's Hospital. Witnesses described the chaos as debris and spilled oil scattered across the intersection, indicating the severity of the collision. Despite the injuries reported, there were no immediate details regarding any arrests related to the police pursuit. The Blue Island police maintained that the situation is under investigation, but as of the latest reports, no follow-up details had been released concerning the status of the driving suspect or additional arrests. This incident raises concerns about police pursuits and the safety of public transit systems in urban areas. The combination of high-speed chases and busy city streets creates a dangerous scenario that could endanger many lives. As investigations continue, both police and community members are calling for reflections on protocols to minimize harm when stops go awry.