1 dead as parolee hits van that hits Elgin house, police say
A 40-year-old man is dead and two others were injured after a police pursuit ended with a suspect blowing a stop sign and hitting the minivan that the man was driving, Elgin police said.
The crash occurred around 5:08 p.m. at the intersection of Liberty and Jefferson streets in Elgin, police said.
Elgin Police Cmdr. Glenn Theriault said police were pursuing Steven Luellen, 34, of Elgin shortly before the crash occurred.
"We've been looking for him because he's wanted on multiple warrants," he said.
Luellen, who was driving a 2011 Nissan Maxima, was on parole for a prior aggravated fleeing and eluding conviction, according to a news release.
Police attempted to stop Luellen but discontinued their attempt after he quickly drove away. Luellen drove east on Jefferson Street for about four blocks before he blew a stop sign and struck a 2002 Mazda MPV traveling north on Liberty Street, police said.
The impact sent the minivan tumbling into a home on the northeast corner of the intersection. Sammy Garcia, 8, and his family were inside, but they were not hurt.
"I heard like a little strange noise. Then when I got out I saw smoke everywhere," Sammy Garcia told ABC 7 Chicago.
The sole occupant of the minivan was a man taken to Sherman Hospital in Elgin, where he was pronounced dead.
His identity is being withheld pending family notification.
Luellen suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries, police said. He was taken to St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates.
The passenger in the Maxima, a 35-year-old female from Elgin, was taken to Sherman Hospital in critical condition.
Theriault said charges are pending for Luellen. He said the female passenger will also likely face charges.
Luellen faced charges of aggravated fleeing and eluding police in 2012.
In that case, Luellen was pulled over by police because he didn't have a registration sticker on his vehicle.
Police said Luellen took off, hitting an estimated 55 mph in residential areas, jumping curbs and running over sidewalks before abandoning his vehicle.
Police are still investigating the crash.
Anyone with information pertinent to the crash is asked to call authorities at (847) 289-2661.