EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — A 14-year-old boy is dead and a 16-year-old boy was hospitalized following a high-speed police pursuit that ended with two stolen cars crashing in Edwardsville.
According to authorities, just after 1 a.m. Tuesday, several burglar alarms went off at two Wood River car dealerships — Federico Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and AutoCenters Nissan. The Chrysler dealership had a brick through its window, police said.
Police received a report of possible stolen cars, and an officer in South Roxana spotted at least five vehicles on Madison Avenue getting onto southbound Interstate 255. The Roxana Police Department began a pursuit, with speeds reaching more than 120 mph, police said.
About five miles down the highway, in Edwardsville, at least two of the cars left the highway and rolled. One of them went into a canal, ejecting the 14-year-old boy into the water.
A 16-year-old from St. Louis involved in the crash was also airlifted to Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
A dive team from the Mitchell Fire Protection District and Hillsboro Fire Department searched the water for the boy. He was found dead about four hours after the crash, Edwardsville Fire Chief James Whiteford said.
The Wood River Police Department identified him Tuesday as Harry Linnen Jr. of St. Louis.
The Illinois State Police are investigating.
This is a developing story. It will be updated as more information becomes available.
