As he drove to work on Monday night, a Cook County sheriff’s deputy was killed in a head-on collision in the southwest Chicago suburb of Mount Greenwood, multiple outlets are reporting.
Deputy Nick Theofanopoulos was only 39 years old.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and fellow deputies at this exceptionally difficult time,” Cook County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Cara Smith said, as reported by the CBS News local station.
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Theofanopoulos was on his way to Christ Hospital at around 9 p.m. to relieve a fellow deputy when the head-on collision occurred.
Cook County Sheriff’s Deputy Killed In Mount Greenwood Crash – https://t.co/ceQRKtYrzN
— The News Globe (@TheNewsGlobe) January 22, 2019
Heading north in his 2006 Nissan Altima, Theofanopoulos collided with a 2004 Jeep Cherokee that was pulling out of a driveway and heading south on the same roadway, noted CBS.
Both drivers were transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.
Theofanopoulos was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The condition of the 21-year-old woman driving the jeep has stabilized, NBC’s Chicago 5 News reports.
Theofanopoulos had served for 15 years in the sheriff’s office, CBS noted.
The Chicago Police Major Accidents Unit is investigating the crash, outlets are reporting.
No citations have been issued as of Tuesday morning.
Theofanopoulos lived in southwest suburban Oak Lawn, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. An autopsy has been scheduled.
Officers lined-up in their patrol vehicles outside the Medical Examiner’s Office— part of a procession for Cook County Sheriff’s Deputy Nick Theofanopoulos, 39. He was killed in a head-on collision on his way into work at Christ Hospital to guard a person in custody. pic.twitter.com/JgFKAF5e5X
— Courtney Gousman (@cgousman) January 22, 2019
Our sincere condolences to the family of Deputy Theofanopolous, as well as our extended family at the Cook County Sheriff’s Department. https://t.co/WwjcCbmhOd
— ILFOP Labor Council (@ILFOPLC) January 22, 2019
Michele Blood is a Flemington, New Jersey-based freelance writer and regular contributor to LifeZette.
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