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Dylan Godell-Chandler

Age : 21

Gender : Male

Race : Unknown

Date : 09/16/2022

Location : 4131 S. Oakenwald Avenue

City : Chicago

County : Cook

State : Illinois

Agency : Chicago Police Department

Officer(s) :Christopher Gonzalez; Kevin Hartwig

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Passenger killed by police chase crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

REASON FOR CHASE: Police chased a vehicle based on a man with a gun call.
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NARRATIVE:
On 09/16/2022, 21-year-old Dylan Godell-Chandler was killed when a silver SUV crashed down an embankment during an encounter with Chicago Police Department Officers Christopher Gonzalez and Kevin Hartwig near 4131 S. Oakenwald Avenue.
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Police had received a report of a person with a gun near 41st Street and Oakenwald Avenue. Surveillance video showed Godell-Chandler with a handgun before he entered the rear passenger seat of the SUV. Gonzalez and Hartwig arrived in an unmarked police vehicle with emergency lights activated and ordered the occupants to show their hands.
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The driver reversed away while Godell-Chandler was partially outside the open rear passenger door. Gonzalez entered the police vehicle, activated the siren and drove behind the SUV. Seconds later, the open passenger door struck a tree and the SUV went down an embankment. Godell-Chandler was ejected and suffered fatal blunt-force injuries.
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COPA investigated whether Gonzalez improperly initiated a vehicle pursuit. It found insufficient evidence to prove that allegation because the SUV crashed almost immediately after fleeing. COPA did sustain an allegation that Gonzalez failed to activate his body-worn camera on time and recommended a five-day suspension.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND:
Officer Christopher Gonzalez joined CPD in July 2019. COPA reported that he had two previous reprimands, including one for failing to timely activate his body-worn camera and another for a preventable accident. Officer Kevin Hartwig was Gonzalez's partner during the incident.
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SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.chicagocopa.org/case/2022-0003994/
https://www.chicagocopa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2022-0003994_FSR.pdf