Pekin, IL (February 19, 2026) – One person was injured on Wednesday evening after a Pekin Police squad car was struck at an intersection, causing the patrol vehicle to roll and come to rest on top of another car. The crash occurred at the intersection of S 14th St and Park Ave while officers were responding to a high-priority call with lights and sirens activated.
According to Pekin Police Chief Seth Ranney, two officers were traveling on S 14th St when a vehicle failed to yield at the intersection and struck the squad car on its side. The impact caused the police SUV to roll over before it stopped on top of a separate vehicle that had been stopped at a traffic light. One person involved in the crash was treated for minor injuries and later released from a nearby hospital. All three vehicles were deemed inoperable and were towed from the scene. The Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident in accordance with department policy requiring an outside agency to handle crashes involving Pekin Police vehicles.
Key Details
- Reported: February 18 at approximately 5 p.m.
- Location: S 14th St and Park Ave, Pekin
- Incident Type: Multi-vehicle crash involving a police SUV
- Injuries: One person treated for injuries
- Vehicle Damage: Three vehicles were inoperable and towed
- Investigating Agency: Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office
What We Know So Far
- Two officers were responding to a high-priority call with lights and sirens activated.
- A vehicle struck the squad car at the intersection.
- The police SUV rolled and landed on top of another vehicle stopped at the light.
- One person received treatment for minor injuries.
- An outside agency is investigating the crash.
What’s Not Yet Confirmed
- The identity of the injured person.
- Whether any citations will be issued.
- The full sequence of events leading up to the collision.
- Additional contributing factors.
Local Context
The intersection of S 14th St and Park Ave is a signal-controlled junction in Pekin that sees regular local traffic throughout the day. Crashes involving emergency vehicles can be especially disruptive due to the size of the vehicles and the urgency of the response. In this case, the squad car reportedly had lights and sirens activated while approaching the intersection. When a patrol vehicle overturns, investigators typically review signal timing, driver actions, and witness accounts to determine how the collision unfolded. With the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office handling the review, additional information may be released once the investigation progresses.
What to Do Next
- If you were involved, move to a safe location if possible and check for injuries. Call 911 if anyone needs medical attention.
- Follow directions from police or emergency personnel and use caution around emergency vehicles and traffic changes.
- Request the incident or report number from responding officers if one is provided.
- If your vehicle is disabled, arrange safe towing and avoid standing near active traffic lanes.
FAQ
Q: What should drivers do when approaching an emergency vehicle with lights and sirens?
A: Drivers should yield the right of way, slow down, and move safely to the side of the road to allow the emergency vehicle to pass.
Q: Why can intersection crashes involving emergency vehicles be severe?
A: Emergency responses often require quick travel through intersections, and if other drivers fail to yield, the resulting impact can lead to rollovers or multi-vehicle collisions.
Q: Who investigates crashes involving police vehicles?
A: Many departments require an outside agency to conduct the investigation to ensure an impartial review of the circumstances.
Source
Read the original coverage here: original report.
