Sheriff’s detective critically injured in on-duty crash welcomed home by over 100 officers in Huntley

Brian Anderson (inset), who worked as an officer with the Lake in the Hills Police Department and is now a sheriff's detective with the Kane County Sheriff's Office, returned to his Huntley home Saturday after he was critically injured in late October in an on-duty crash. | Provided Photos

Over 100 officers helped welcome a Kane County sheriff's detective home in Huntley after he was critically injured in an on-duty crash in Hampshire in October. Kane County Sheriff's Detective Brian Anderson was escorted home Saturday morning. Over a hundred officers from various agencies lined his street in Huntley to welcome him home.

"He still has a long road ahead, but he's a tough individual who will make it through," the Kane County Sheriff's Office said. Anderson was involved in a severe crash on Route 47 just south of Plank Road in Hampshire Township around 6:56 a.m. on October 23. The detective, who was on duty in a black Dodge Durango squad car, was traveling southbound on Route 47, according to the Kane County Sheriff's Office.

Brian Anderson, who worked as an officer with the Lake in the Hills Police Department and is now a sheriff's detective with the Kane County Sheriff's Office, was critically injured in October in an on-duty crash and a fundraiser was created to help him and his family (pictured). | Provided Photos

His squad was struck head-on by a dually Dodge Ram pickup truck pulling a loaded trailer.

The Dodge Ram was initially traveling northbound on Route 47 when it attempted to stop in traffic, sheriff's officials said. The Dodge Ram then went into oncoming traffic, striking Anderson's squad head-on. Anderson, 33, suffered severe injuries and a medical helicopter was called.

Sheriff's officials said Anderson was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital and listed in critical condition. Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain said the detective was heavily trapped in his wrecked squad car and it took 45 minutes for firefighters to extricate him. "The head-on crash was nothing short of horrific and he had to endure a 45 minute extrication from his squad while in a great deal of pain...but never expressed any discomfort.

A true warrior," Hain said. A fundraiser said Anderson's injuries were significant and required numerous surgeries.

Brian Anderson was nominated for the 2018 Officer of the Year award while working as a police officer for the Lake in the Hills Police Department. Anderson, who now works for the Kane County Sheriff's Office, was critically injured in October in an on-duty crash. | Photo: Lake in the Hills PD

A prolonged period of wheelchair use and home modifications during rehabilitation "adds to the complexities they [the family] face," the fundraiser said.

Three people were inside the Dodge Ram and one of them was transported to Ascension St. Joseph's Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Anderson had worked for the Kane County Sheriff's Office for over 10 months, sheriff's officials said.

He was previously a police officer with the Arlington Heights Police Department. Before he worked at the Arlington Heights Police Department, he worked as an officer for the Lake in the Hills Police Department. "As many are already aware, we are asking that you please keep Deputy Anderson of the Kane County Sheriff's Office as well as his family, friends and coworkers past and present in your thoughts and prayers," the Lake in the Hills Police Department said following the incident.

"Many of us in this area had the pleasure and privilege of calling Deputy Anderson our brother and friend as he was a former member of the Lake in the Hills Police Department.

All of us here are thinking of him and everyone affected by today's crash and keeping all in our hearts, thoughts and prayers," the department added.

State police are working to determine if alcohol or drugs were a factor and whether any potential charges will be sought.