STC officer dies from apparent crash injuries

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ST. CHARLES - A St. Charles police officer died this morning nearly three weeks after a crash put him in the hospital, officials said.

Officer Vaughn Olson, 41, was found unresponsive in his room at Marianjoy Physical Rehabilitation Hospital in Wheaton, where he was sent following a hospital stay at Delnor-Community Hospital in Geneva, police said.

Olson, who was a 15-year department veteran, and fellow officer Michael Griesbaum were involved in the July 14 crash near Route 38 and Meredith Road in Virgil Township.

Griesbaum was driving a minivan, with Olson as his passenger, when it collided with a Ford Taurus at 12:24 a.m., according to police.

The driver of the Taurus, Mitchell A. Westerlin of Elburn and his passenger, Melanie K. Carlson of Elburn were hospitalized following their crash, along with Griesbaum.

Their conditions were unavailable this afternoon.

As the investigation continues, Gengler said a third vehicle could have been involved that could have caused Griesbaum to swerve and cause the crash.

No charges are expected, but Gengler said investigators planned to meet with prosecutors.

For more, see Friday's Chronicle or visit KCChronicle.com