Elgin mayoral hopeful hit by squad car

Dave Kaptain, an Elgin city councilman and mayoral candidate, and his wife were struck by a police car as they cross the street in downtown Elgin Thursday night, authorities said.

Kaptain and his wife, Sandy, were crossing Douglas Avenue at Highland Avenue at 5:57 p.m. Thursday when a squad car heading south on Douglas made a right turn onto Highland and into the couple, knocking them to the ground, Elgin police spokeswoman Sue Olafson said.

She said the community service officer did not see the Kaptains when he made the turn.

She said both refused an ambulance and were not injured in the minor crash.

“Thankfully, both appeared to be fine right after the crash,” Olafson said. “It was just one of those unfortunate accidents.”

On Friday, Kaptain confirmed he and his wife are doing fine. He said his wife got a bump on her head and that he is “a little stiff and sore” but that they haven't had to seek medical attention.

He said they dusted themselves off and continued on to a downtown Elgin restaurant where they dined with friends.

Kaptain said the car was only going about 2 mph and that the young officer driving the vehicle was very apologetic.

“I couldn't help but feel sorry for him,” Kaptain said. “He didn't know who I was.”