PONTOON BEACH, Ill. — A Berkeley man who stole a police officer's vehicle is dead after a chaotic series of events Wednesday night, police said.
A Fairmont City officer made a traffic stop on a vehicle along Illinois Route 203. Moments before, a male identified as 28-year-old Kyeiree Myers, of Berkeley, exited the vehicle and began walking near the roadway.
A Washington Park officer arrived on the scene to assist with the traffic stop and approached Myers. Myers fled and the officer ran after him.
According to Illinois State Police, the officer and Myers got into a physical altercation before Myers was able to break free. He was able to gain access and steal the Washington Park officer's vehicle.
Police said Myers rammed the vehicle into a pillar near the officer. The officer discharged his firearm, striking Myers, who continued to flee at a high rate of speed, police said.
An Illinois State Police emergency broadcast was made to surrounding agencies in search of Myers.
Around 11 p.m., Myers exited the squad car on Illinois Route 162 at Mockingbird Lane in Granite City.
A Pontoon Beach Police Department's vehicle and a passing motorist struck Myers, who was lying in the roadway, ISP said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The highway was closed to traffic for hours as police investigated, but has since reopened.
An investigation is ongoing.
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