Five Chicago police officers were struck by a vehicle early Sunday morning while attempting to disperse a large crowd on the city's west side, according to the Chicago Police Department.
The incident occurred around 3:20 a.m. when officers were managing the gathering. A blue vehicle traveling westbound in an eastbound lane mounted a curb and collided with a police patrol car, a utility pole and a fence before stopping, the department said.
Police arrested an uninjured 18-year-old male driver at the scene. Charges against him are pending, officials said. A weapon was recovered from the vehicle, though the department described its initial statement as preliminary and provided no further details on the firearm or the circumstances of the arrest.
All five officers were transported to area hospitals and listed in fair condition. No other injuries were reported in connection with the event.
The department offered limited additional information about the size or nature of the crowd being dispersed or the events leading up to the collision. The preliminary account did not specify the exact location beyond the west side of Chicago.
Officers were on duty assisting with crowd control when the vehicle struck them, according to the statement released by Chicago police. The blue car reportedly continued after hitting the officers until it came to a stop after striking multiple objects.
Investigators are continuing to examine the sequence of events, including why the vehicle was driving against traffic. The 18-year-old suspect was taken into custody without injury, police said.
The five officers received medical attention promptly after the collision. Their conditions were described as fair at the time they arrived at hospitals, the department reported.
No bystanders or other individuals were injured in the incident, according to initial reports from Chicago police. The focus of the ongoing investigation remains on the driver and the recovery of the weapon from the vehicle.
Further details, including any potential charges or additional context about the crowd dispersal operation, are expected to be released as the investigation progresses, officials indicated.