CHICAGO — An off-duty police officer was fatally struck by a car while riding his motorcycle Sunday afternoon.
The officer, who has been identified as probationary police officer Tito M. Rodriguez, of 111 S. Austin Blvd., was riding his motorcycle on the southbound Dan Ryan Expressway around 2:15 p.m. when a man driving a 2007 Pontiac coupe quickly tried to change lanes to avoid missing the 71st Street exit, according to a police report citing preliminary information.
The driver, Dennis Anderson, 50, of Chicago, cut Rodriguez off, causing his fatal crash, police said. Rodriguez was taken to St. Bernard Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:25 p.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.
After the collision, the southbound entrance ramp at 75th Street was closed until around 6:45 p.m., according to State Police.
Rodriguez had been a police officer since May 2013.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues. We ask everyone to respect the privacy of the officer’s family in this difficult time," the office of police news affairs said of Rodriguez in a statement.
Anderson has been charged with improper lane usage and no valid insurance.
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