BY MICHAEL D. CLARK
The Cincinnati Enquirer
An Arlington Heights police officer was critically injured Thursday night when his cruiser was struck while he was making a traffic stop on Interstate 75 near Galbraith Road. Three other people also were hurt, one critically.
Sgt. Jack Parsons had pulled over a car shortly before 10 p.m., Arlington Heights police said, when his parked cruiser was struck from behind.
In all, three vehicles were involved in the accident.
Sgt. Parsons, 43, of Springdale, and Mike Nills, 32, of Avondale, were taken to University Hospital. Both were in critical condition early today.
Two other unidentified people were taken to Good Samaritan Hospital with minor injuries.
Police blocked off southbound I-75 for nearly two hours after the accident as the four victims were evacuated and wreckage was cleared.
Earlier this year, Sgt. Parsons was involved in a chase on I-75 in which a 17-year-old suspect lost control of his vehicle and hit a utility pole. Robert Williams Jr. later died.
