Fatal crash at Niles Police Station still under investigation; damages estimated at $25,000

Feb. 28--An investigation into a deadly January car crash on the property of the Niles Police Station continues, but the department now has a better idea of the cost for repairs associated with the damage.

Acting Police Cmdr. Anthony Scipione said the amount of damage is estimated at $25,000 and includes the repair and replacement of a fence along Milwaukee Avenue; repair to the retaining wall that the car scraped against; replacement of the underground garage door that the car crashed through; and repairs to a broken traffic signal.

Additionally, the village incurred costs for temporary repairs that were made to the police garage until a new, permanent door could be installed, as well as emergency overtime costs for staff, Scipione said.

It is anticipated that a claim has been or will be made with the driver's insurance company to cover the expenses, he said.

The repairs are scheduled to be completed soon, Scipione added.

Julian H. Hernandez, 22, of Des Plaines was driving a 2010 Hyundai Sonata south on Waukegan Road shortly after midnight, Jan. 29, when the car failed to turn onto Milwaukee Avenue and drove straight onto the east side of the Niles Police Department campus, police said.

The car jumped the curb and struck a ComEd utility pole, traffic control device and fence before hitting the side of the high retaining wall which borders the driveway of the station's underground garage, police said.

Hernandez was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.

The crash remains under investigation by the Major Crash Assistance Team of the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force, a multi-jurisdictional agency, and findings from this investigation, including the speed that the Hyundai was traveling, have not yet been released, Scipione said. Police previously said the car appeared to be traveling at a high rate of speed before the crash.

Police are also waiting for toxicology results on the driver, Scipione said.

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