Community service officer on storm duty hit by car in Carpentersville

A Carpentersville police community service officer on on storm duty was hit by a car and severely injured early Tuesday morning at Route 25 and Golfview Lane.

The community service officer was setting up flares at 5:17 a.m. after a heavy storm Monday night knocked out power to the traffic signals and overhead street lights in the area, police department spokesman Cmdr. Michael Kilbourne said.

A marked police car with flashing emergency lights was parked in the intersection at the time of the accident.

The officer, who was wearing a fluorescent orange vest at the time, suffered severe injuries to both legs and was taken to Sherman Hospital for emergency medical treatment.

Kilbourne, who would not confirm the officer's name, said the injuries were not life threatening.

Police said a 16-year-old Carpentersville girl was driving a 2001 Pontiac Aztec southbound on Route 25 and failed to stop at the posted signs.

The driver, who did have a valid learner's permit, was ticketed for driving without a valid driver's license. Kilbourne said the learner's permit was void since four other passengers did not have valid driver's licenses.

The driver was also cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, as well as disobeying a stop sign.

Brigida Francisco-Pacheco, a passenger in the vehicle, was issued a traffic citation for permitting an unauthorized person to drive.

Kilbourne said an investigation continues and police have not yet determined why the 16-year-old was driving the vehicle.