8/24/23 Madison County, IL – Traffic Stop – Man Exits Vehicle – Foot Chase – Struggle – Police Vehicle Stolen – Shots Fired At Suspect – Sped Away – Suspect Struck By Pontoon Beach Police Car – Dead On Scene

A Washington Park police cruiser was stolen late Wednesday evening, and the alleged thief was killed after abandoning the vehicle.

According to Trooper Jayme Bufford, a spokesman for the Illinois State Police, the incident happened shortly after 10:50 p.m.

Investigators determined a Fairmont City police officer made a traffic stop on Illinois Route 203 near Collinsville Road. One person, later identified as Kyeiree Myers of St. Louis, exited the vehicle and began walking along Route 203.

A Washington Park police officer arrived at the scene to assist the Fairmont City officer and walked after Myers.

Bufford claims Myers ran away, and the Washington Park officer pursued him on foot. The two men got into a struggle; Myers broke free and stole the officer’s police vehicle.

Myers allegedly rammed the police vehicle into a pillar near the Washington Park officer, who took out his service weapon and fired at Myers.

Myers was wounded in the shooting but sped away from the scene, Bufford said. Myers abandoned the vehicle minutes later along Illinois Route 162 near Mockingbird Lane and collapsed in the roadway.

A Pontoon Beach police car and a passing motorist struck Myers in the roadway, Bufford said.

Myers was pronounced dead at the scene. He was 28.

Illinois State Police have not released the names of the officers involved, Bufford said. This is an ongoing investigation.