This footage was filmed and produced 10 November 2023.

[WARNING: Sensitive content]

Gurnee faced two harrowing police-involved crashes within 24 hours, both linked to driving under the influence. In the latest incident on Friday evening, a 35-year-old Zion man, intoxicated, slammed his 2020 Jeep Wrangler into a stopped police squad near the intersection of Route 21 and Washington Street. The squad, with a police canine named Hawk inside, miraculously escaped injuries as the officer swiftly distanced himself from the impending collision.

The intoxicated driver now faces a slew of charges, including reckless driving and DUI. This follows a Thursday night crash when a marked patrol squad, engaged in a traffic stop on southbound Route 41, was rear-ended by a 2017 Chevrolet Trax. The officer emerged unscathed but heroically assisted in rescuing the Chevrolet's driver, a 63-year-old North Chicago woman, as the vehicle caught fire.

Minor injuries were reported for the Chevrolet's occupants, all North Chicago residents, who were transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center. The driver is suspected to have been intoxicated, underscoring the need for heightened safety measures on Gurnee's roads.

Gurnee Police Department Public Information Officer Shawn Gaylor emphasized the department's commitment to community safety in the face of these alarming incidents. Investigations into both crashes are ongoing.