Des Plaines man dies after being struck by private ambulance

An 86-year-old Des Plaines man died after he was struck by a private ambulance as he was crossing the street, authorities said Friday.

Navin Christian, of the 2400 block of Seminary Avenue, was crossing Potter Road just south of Ballard Road about 11 a.m. Wednesday when he was struck by a Lifeline ambulance, which was turning out of a 7-Eleven parking lot to go north on Potter, Des Plaines police officer Mike Heidkamp said.

Christian, who was crossing from the east side to west side of the street, was not in a crosswalk, Heidkamp said. The ambulance, which had a two-person crew, was not on an emergency call or transporting any patients, he said.

Emergency crews from the Des Plaines Fire Department and North Maine Fire Protection District responded and found Christian pinned under the vehicle. After first responders extricated him, they took him to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, where he was initially listed in critical condition, according to Des Plaines Fire Chief Alan Wax.

Christian was pronounced dead at 8:45 p.m. Wednesday, the Cook County medical examiner's office said. The autopsy found he sustained multiple injuries.

Heidkamp said police are still investigating and are working with the Cook County state's attorneys office to determine if charges are appropriate.