"Police charge couple in hit and run that killed policeman"

This story ran on nwitimes.com on Sunday, August 22, 2004 12:10 AM CDT

JOLIET (AP) -- A man accused of causing an auto accident that killed a policeman fled the scene of the collision then had his wife report their SUV stolen, authorities said Saturday.

Juan Cervantes, 56, has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident, failing to yield the right of way and driving on a revoked driver's license. His 50-year-old wife, Julia Cervantes, was charged Saturday morning with falsifying a police report -- a felony, authorities said.

Police say officer Jonathan E. Walsh was killed on Friday night when his vehicle collided with a white Chevrolet Blazer. Walsh's squad car careened off the road after the collision then slammed into an unoccupied lift crane, authorities said.

The 27-year-old officer was responding to a burglary alarm at the Joliet Park District Nature Center when the accident happened. He was pronounced dead at Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet, the Will County Coroner's office said.

Police say Julia Cervantes reported the couple's Chevrolet Blazer stolen shortly after the collision.

Deputy Police Chief Fred Hayes said she fraudulently reported the SUV stolen to cover up her husband's involvement in the accident.

Authorities said witnesses have identified Juan Cervantes as the driver of the Chevrolet Blazer, which was found abandoned a few miles from the scene of the accident.


Here is the link, not sure if it will work or not: www.thetimesonline.com

http://www.thetimesonline.com/articles/2004/08/22/news/region_and_state/782d61a032febc8f86256ef8000440ea.txt

Police charge couple in hit and run that killed policeman

Made it hot for you.

My prayers go out to his family. JC

RIP

RIP brother