ILLINOIS STATE POLICE SQUAD CAR STRUCK BY STOLEN CAR IN CHICAGO, SUSPECT FACING GUN CHARGES ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JANUARY 22, 2026

CHICAGO – An Illinois State Police (ISP) Trooper is recovering after their squad car was struck by a speeding, stolen car in Chicago. The driver is now facing multiple felony charges.

On January 21, 2026, at approximately 12:18 a.m., an ISP squad car was stopped at the traffic light on southbound Yates Avenue near the intersection with 75^th Street in Chicago. A black Chrysler sedan was travelling westbound on 75^th Street through the intersection when a white BMW traveling northbound on Yates Avenue disregarded the red light and struck the Chrysler in the intersection. Both the BMW and the Chrysler then hit the front of the squad car. The BMW driver, 29-year-old Demarko T. Hill of Chicago, attempted the leave the scene of the crash on foot as Chicago Police (CPD) officers arrived. Despite having just been involved in a serious crash, the Trooper was able to take Hill into custody, with assistance from CPD. Hill had been carrying a loaded firearm. Further investigation revealed the BMW was stolen. The Trooper and Hill were both transported to an area hospital with minor injuries and damage to the squad car rendered it undrivable and had to be towed.

Troopers submitted their case to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, who filed charges for Aggravated Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle (Class 1 Felony), Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon (Class 2 Felony), Possession of a Weapon with a Revoked FOID (Class 3 Felony), two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Class 4 Felony), Forged Registration (Class 4 Felony), Leaving the Scene of a Crash (Class A Misdemeanor), Unlawful Possession of Cannabis (Class A Misdemeanor), and multiple traffic offenses. Hill is being held at the Cook County Jail pending his initial court hearing. There is no further information.

The charges are not evidence against the defendant, and the defendant are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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