STONE PARK-- Even as the city mourns the loss of seven-year police department veteran Ivano Mazzulla -- he died in a motorcycle accident Wednesday afternoon -- there will be no charges filed as the victim may have been at fault.
Cpl.Mazzulla, 33, the brother of Stone Park Village President Ben Mazzulla died around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday while riding his motorcycle northbound on the 1700 block of Mannheim Road, according to Penny Matack, spokesman for the Cook County Sheriff's Department. The County is investigating the fatal wreck at the request of the Melrose Park Police Department.
Matack said the 31-year-old female driver of a 1999 Ford Expedition was turning left during a yellow light on the 1700 block of Mannheim Road into Melrose Crossing Shopping Center. As the SUV was turning, Ivano Mazzulla entered the intersection on his 2002 Suzuki SX7 motorcycle, hitting the SUV broadside on the passenger side.
Matack said Mazzulla bounced off the SUV and hit a 1981 Mercury Sable heading westbound from the shopping center parking lot. The 35-year-old driver of the Sable was not injured.
An autopsy Thursday showed Mazzulla, though wearing a helmet, died from multiple injuries. The Cook County Medical Examiner ruled the death an accident.
The sheriff's office accident reconstruction team is working the case.
Mazzulla was hired as a part-time officer in April 2001. He became a full-time officer in 2003 and eventually a corporal, Stone Park police Deputy Chief Louis Fatta said.
He was a shift supervisor and truck enforcement officer involved in community policing, Fatta said. During his career, he earned several commendations for meritorious service, according to a release from police.
"He was a friend, and a really great kid," Stone Park police Comdr. Bill Cundari said of his co-worker. "He would stay after work on his own just to learn more.
"You wouldn't even believe how much he will be missed," the commander said. "He was so respectful. His parents should be proud. He captured a bank robber and recovered the money. He delivered a baby. Since coming on the department, he went above and beyond."
Survivors, besides his brother, include his wife and three children.
Copyright 2008 STNG Wire, The Chicago Sun-Times. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Family of Drowned Boy Makes Plea to City The family five-year-old Ronald Evans, Jr, who drowned in Jackson Park Harbor Thursday night, is appealing to city and Park District officials not to let it happen again.
Flooding Affects Homeless Pets The massive flooding in the Midwest not only destroyed homes and crops, it left a lot of animals homeless, many are up for adoption at PAWS Chicago. WBBM's Mary Francis Bragiel reports.
Drive 55 . . . And Save Gas? As Chicago-area drivers drive off on holiday celebrations, there are plenty of opinions about going back to a national top speed limit of 55 miles per hour. Virginia Senator John Warner is proposing a return to the speed limit Congress passed in the1974 energy crisis, to cut down on fuel usage. WBBM's Dave Berner has the story.
Con Man Nabbed The gig is up for a Milwaukee-area man whose acting skills saved him a lot of money. WBBM's Jackie Swike reports.
Family of Drowned Boy Makes Plea to City After hearing that the family did not know how they would pay for the boy's funeral...Funeral Director Spencer Leak Jr. approached NewsRadio 780 today and said he would pay for it
Amtrak
With Amtrak there are no tolls, traffic or weather issues to deal with. Just big, comfortable seats and miles of breathtaking views and spend real quality time with family and friends. Call Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL or click on our web link.
WBBM-AM 780 has been the consistent all news radio voice in Chicagoland for over 35 years and is now streaming online for free. Listen online to Chicago news as it happens around the clock, along with Chicago traffic, Chicago weather, Chicago sports and Chicago business. Subscribe to WBBM's free podcasts for additional Chicago business and Chicago community reports and listen to Chicago news on demand. WBBM news radio is also the home for Chicago Bears, Chicago Auto Show and Chicago Air & Water Show. www.wbbm780.com
