The Cook County State’s Attorney’s office is denying accusations it spoiled a case against a Chicago police officer. The off-duty officer beat a drunk-driving charge after a fatal crash last fall. We report from our West Side bureau.

Officer John Ardelean’s SUV broadsided a sedan carrying three friends from west suburban Cicero on Thanksgiving. The crashed killed 21-year-old Erick Lagunas and 22-year-old Miguel Flores. Ardelean was charged with felony drunk driving.

A Cook County judge last week dismissed the charge, saying there was no indication the officer was drunk.

FIGUEROA: We want justice.

Retired Cook County Judge Raymond Figueroa says prosecutors failed to call several witnesses, including the sedan’s survivor.

FIGUEROA: He was in the car, a passenger. They didn’t even bother to call him.

In a written response, State’s Attorney Richard Devine’s office called the case difficult to prove, saying the evidence conflicted.

The victims’ families are planning to petition the office to bring the case before a grand jury.