Charges Dismissed Against Chicago Cop in Fatal DUI Crash

June 8, 2010 - Charges have been dropped against a Chicago police officer who caused a fatal car accident back in 2007. According to reports at ABC 7 Chicago, a judge dismissed the charges on Friday because the arresting officers did not have probable cause in arresting the police officer, who was off-duty at the time.

The 36-year-old police officer was initially charged with driving under the influence and reckless homicide. On Thanksgiving Day in 2007, the off-duty police officer consumed alcoholic beverages at a bar in the River North neighborhood and later caused a car accident that killed two men. The victims were identified as 21- and 22-year-old Chicago residents.

The officer involved did not take a breathalyzer until 7 hours after the car crash, and his blood alcohol content did not exceed the legal limit at that time. The police officers who initially responded to the crash reported no indication that the off-duty officer was under the influence.

The families of the victims are bitterly disappointed in the ruling, and said they plan to continue with a civil lawsuit against the officer. The officer involved in the crash remains on the police force, although he has been reassigned to a desk job.