Driver runs from police after crashing car into tree in Palos Park

A speeding driver ran away from police after crashing his car into a tree during a pursuit late Sunday in southwest suburban Palos Park.

An officer was on patrol at the Mill Creek shopping center about 11:30 p.m. when he spotted an older model Lincoln driving erratically in the southbound lanes of the 12900 block of Route 45, according to Palos Park Police Chief Joe Miller.

The car was cutting other vehicles off and going about 20 miles over the posted speed limit, Miller said.

The driver spotted the police officer and, in the 13000 block of Route 45, went southbound into the northbound lanes, through a red light at 131^st Street, then east on 131^st, Miller said.

The officer pursued the car, which continued eastbound then tried to turn southbound onto 88^th Avenue, Miller said. Just south of 88^th, the car struck a tree and the driver ran off with the officer chasing him.

Officers searched the area with a K-9 unit from Bedford Park, but lost the driver near 135^th Street, police said.

The driver was identified and police are communicating with his family for him to turn himself in, Miller said.

“There is no threat or danger to the public,” Miller said.