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Wheeling buying police vehicle to replace one involved in fatal accident

Posted September 24, 2014 1:01 am

By Jim Sonnenberg Daily Herald correspondent

The Wheeling board of trustees on Monday approved the purchase of a new police cruiser to replace one damaged in a recent fatal accident that is now the subject of a lawsuit against the village.

Police Chief William Benson, in a memo to the village manager, requested replacement of the 2014 Ford Interceptor involved in the early morning Sept. 14 accident that killed 20-year-old Fredi Morales.

"Due to pending litigation," Benson wrote, "we are unable to repair the vehicle at this time and may not be in a position to do so for a long period of time."

The board unanimously approved its consent agenda Monday, which included purchase of a 2015 Ford "Special Service AWD" Explorer at a cost "not to exceed $26,585."

The family of Morales sued the village last week, claiming the officer involved in the accident acted "recklessly and dangerously" in pursuing a traffic violator on McHenry Road.

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