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Wheeling identifies officer involved in fatal crash

Wheeling police have identified the veteran officer operating the police vehicle that fatally struck 20-year-old Des Plaines resident Fredi Morales on McHenry Road in the early morning of Sept. 14.

Officer Preston Robertson, who will mark his 23rd anniversary with the department this Tuesday, has an exemplary record that includes no disciplinary actions, and numerous commendations and awards, according to Deputy Police Chief Todd Wolff.

Wolff said it's standard procedure to name the driver in such an investigation at some point, but the department allowed Robertson some privacy with his family first.

As recently as August, Robertson was one of four Wheeling officers honored with Life Saving Award for his efforts in March when he saw smoke coming from a parked car and noticed its engine compartment was on fire. Robertson was able to awaken the occupant and get the person out before the vehicle was fully engulfed by flames.

Robertson, who has received seven letters of commendation, four department commendations and nine letters of appreciation, has served as a school resource officer at both Wheeling Township Elementary District 21 and Northwest Suburban High School District 214.

Robertson is currently on non-patrol light duty while the independent investigation of the crash by the Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team continues.

Based on information from that investigation, Robertson was trying to catch up to a vehicle for a traffic violation when Morales was struck by Robertson's police SUV. Robertson had not yet activated his vehicle's flashing lights and siren. Morales was in dark clothes and running north along a dimly lit section of the road at 5:42 a.m., police have said.

Wolff said it is not a violation of department policy that Robertson's flashing lights and siren weren't activated while he was still in the process of catching up to the traffic violator. Wolff said he did not know the offense of the violator, who was never caught.

Morales' family has sued the village of Wheeling and added Robertson's name as an individual defendant Friday. The suit claims negligence on Robertson's part and the intentional infliction of emotional distress by the village for failing to ensure that all of Morales' body parts were removed from the scene following the initial investigation. The suit seeks damages in excess of $50,000.

Wheeling Village Manager Jon Sfondilis briefly responded to the suit Friday.

"The allegations contained in the lawsuit filed two days after the accident were without merit and we believe the amended complaint is no different," Sfondilis said. "The claims asserted in this lawsuit will be answered fully in court at the appropriate time."

Nevertheless, village officials are continuing to express sympathy for the Morales family.

Morales' family members said Morales was out with his brother and some friends on that Saturday night and early Sunday morning, but had gotten separated from them and lost while looking for their car.

Wheeling police have named veteran Officer Preston Robertson as the driver of the squad SUV that fatally struck Des Plaines resident Fredi Morales on McHenry Road on Sept. 14. Courtesy of ABC 7 Chicago Eyewitness News
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