SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Springfield Police Department has released internal affairs investigation documents into a DUI crash involving a retired SPD sergeant.
The crash happened on Sept. 5, 2024 in the 400 block of East Lake Shore Drive. The driver, retired Sgt. Michael A. Egan, failed to yield and hit a motorcycle with two riders. Both were thrown from the motorcycle and severely injured.
Family members identified the victims as Chelsey Farley and Trevor Hopkins.
When it was announced that the driver was a recently retired Springfield officer, members of the community gathered to demand transparency from the department and city of Springfield.
At a demonstration Sept. 9, 2024, Farley's sisters told WAND News that she had broken multiple bones and injured organs in the crash. During the protest, Farley's family was brought into the police station to speak with Mayor Misty Buscher and Police Chief Ken Scarlette.
At a city council meeting the next night, Springfield Police Chief Ken Scarlette apologized on behalf of Egan and said that he failed his oath.
On Wednesday, SPD released multiple documents from the internal investigation into the handling of the crash by Springfield officers.
A timeline of the crash released by Springfield police can be seen below.
"The Springfield Police Department recognizes the importance of transparency in critical investigations, whether criminal in nature or related to internal discipline," said Chief Scarlette in the release. "Our agency strives at every level to provide efficient response to all calls, while providing professional, empathetic service for all."
Around the time of the crash, there was scrutiny from the community over the fact that Egan was allowed to drink ice water shortly after the crash. As part of the internal affairs investigation, a DUI expert was consulted on whether drinking water would affect testing results.
Officer Larry Brooks, who leads DUI related training at the Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center said, "Water does not affect a BAC [blood alcohol content] in the manner of the toxicology results whether it is a breath or blood draw."
Another point of scrutiny was the fact that Egan was allowed to stay outside during the investigation, rather than secured in the back of a squad car.
Brooks was asked to provide advantages or disadvantages of placing someone suspected of DUI in the rear of a squad car immediately vs. allowing them to remain outside of a squad car while the investigation is being conducted. Brooks noted the following:
“I can understand how the general public's perception can be of this scenario. It is not common practice to immediately detain a person suspected for DUI. The circumstances will always dictate tactics and once the situation is going to involve waiting on another agency the suspect might be sat in the back of a squad car especially if there is a crowd around the scene. There are advantages of getting the suspected DUI driver walking around getting more evidence such as uncoordinated movements, slow or staggering steps.
"With body cameras and in car cameras there is good evidence there as well with the slurred speech, mumbling or incoherent statements that do not pertain to the situation. I would say the other part about securing him in the car would limit your view of the suspected DUI driver and if the officer is not sitting in the squad car as well, they could miss maybe a medical issue or something like the person needing to vomit or use the bathroom. Allowing the person to stand can also show possible sway or balance issues.”
SPD said the internal investigation took several months to complete. One supervisor and three patrol officers were disciplined following the investigation.
"Sgt. Zander was suspended for six (6) days for sustained violations of Springfield Police Rule #5 - Knowledge and Violation of Rules and Orders and Rule #9 – Failure to Supervise. These sustained violations and associated suspension time are a result of scene management issues and adherence to the rules and polices of the Springfield Police Department. Sgt. Zander was also ordered to attend and complete retraining.
"Officers Yanor, Wheeler and Singletary were issued written reprimands based on a sustained violation of Springfield Police Rule #5 – Knowledge and Violation of Rules and Orders. These officers were also ordered to attend and complete retraining."
The trial for Egan is ongoing. He pleaded not guilty to two counts aggravated DUI, two counts DUI, and improper left turn late 2024.
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