Police SUV involved in deadly overnight crash in Independence

One person is dead after a crash involving an Independence Police Department SUV Sunday.

According to an Independence police news release, the crash happened around 1:15 a.m. Sunday at the intersection of U.S. 24 Highway and Susquehanna Road.

The IPD release said a 2024 Ford Explorer police vehicle was heading westbound on U.S. 24 Highway. The police SUV was responding to an emergency call with its lights and sirens on.

At the same time, a 2022 Audi SQ5 driving north on Susquehanna Road entered the intersection with 24 Highway. IPD said the police SUV hit the driver's side door of the Audi.

The driver of the Audi was critically hurt and later died at a local hospital.

The officer was also taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The press release said the initial investigation shows the officer had a green light and the Audi had a red light as the two entered the intersection.

IPD said both drivers were wearing their seatbelts.

Police are continuing to investigate the crash.