Two Chicago police officers were shot Thursday morning while
investigating a South Side accident in which a man was killed and two others were injured, police said.
While police were investigating the accident, someone stepped out of the crowd and shot the officers, authorities said. Officer Peter Marianovich was in good condition at Christ Hospital and Medical Center in Oak Lawn, and Officer Jesse Terrazas was treated and released, a hospital spokeswoman said. Police had no motive nor description of the assailant and could not say if the shooting was related to the accident.
A 15-year-old boy was driving a Mercedes northbound about 1 a.m. on Wentworth Avenue that hit a westbound Impala that was making a left turn from 104th Street onto Wentworth, officials said. A police car that was behind the Mercedes flashed its lights just prior to the accident, police said.
Before the accident, the Merdeces had hit a parked car on the 100 block of West 109th Street and then fled, police said.
The Mercedes, which was traveling about 35 m.p.h., struck the Impala in the front left side, police said.
The impact killed a passenger in the Impala, James Sykes, 39, of the 10500 block of South Normal Avenue, authorities said.
The driver of the Impala, Ervin Robinson, 40, of the 10000 block of South Vernon Avenue, was in critical condition at Christ Hospital.
The 15-year-old, who lives on South Beverly Avenue, was in serious condition at Christ Hospital, said a hospital spokeswoman.
No charges have been filed, according to police.
While the two officers were investigating the accident, a crowd gathered at the scene. A person in the crowd stepped out and fired a number of shots at the officers, hitting them in the thighs, officials said.
Marianovich, 52, is a 30-year veteran, said Pullman District Cmdr. William Shaw. Before joining the Police Department, Marianovich was a state trooper.
Shaw said Marianovich has received numerous commendations.
Terrazas, 26, has worked in the Pullman District for almost a year and a half, Shaw said. He has received a few honorable mentions, Shaw said.
So far this year, 10 Chicago police officers have been shot in the line of duty, one fatally, according to officials.
