Early this morning a driver being pulled over for speeding in Aurora Township suddenly hit the gas, turned off his lights, and led police on a scary chase that nearly ended in tragedy.
According to the Kane County Sheriff’s Department, at approximately 1:30am this morning a Kane County Sheriff’s Deputy observed a gray, 2009 Honda Civic with Illinois registration plates traveling over 90 MPH in a 45 MPH zone while southbound on Orchard Rd, just north of Prairie St. in Aurora Township.
As the Deputy turned around to catch up to the vehicle and initiate a traffic stop, he observed that the driver of the vehicle turned off its lights and then disobeyed the red light as he turned west onto Rt. 30 from Orchard Rd. The Deputy activated his emergency lights and siren in an attempt to pull the vehicle over but the driver refused to pull over and fled from the Deputy.
During the pursuit, the Honda turned around and was traveling east on Rt. 30. As the Honda was traveling at a high rate of speed the driver intentionally crossed into the westbound lane, almost striking another Sheriff’s Deputy involved in the pursuit, causing it to go off the road and into the grass. (See video.) The Honda then went back into the eastbound lane and continued to drive at a high rate of speed.
Just east of that location, a Deputy was in the westbound lane outside of his squad car preparing to deploy a vehicle deactivation device in an attempt to disable the Honda. As the Honda approached at a high rate of speed, the Deputy observed the driver of the Honda intentionally cross into the westbound lane and direct his vehicle at him.
Fearing for his safety, the Deputy had to run around behind his squad car as the Honda just narrowly missed striking him.
The Honda then went back into the eastbound lane and continued driving at a high rate of speed. The pursuit lasted for several minutes and due to the great safety risk to the public and Officers, the decision was made to use the Deputy’s vehicles to force the Honda off the road and pin it up against the curb at Cedar St and Wilder St in Aurora. The driver was taken into custody without further incident. There was also a passenger in the vehicle, but through the investigation it was determined that he was attempting to get the driver to stop throughout the pursuit, so he was released without any charges.
No injuries were reported to either occupants of the Honda or any of the Deputies or Officers.
Sheriff Ron Hain said in a statement, “We are grateful that no one was hurt in this incident, but it is a prime example of why people should just respect and support our highly trained law enforcement officials in Kane County and simply pull over.”
The driver, a 22-year-old Aurora man, has been charged with the following:
- 2 counts Attempted 1st Degree Murder
- 1 count Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding 21 MPH+
- 1 count Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding disobeying 2+ traffic control devises
- 1 count Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding Damage over $300.00
- 3 counts Aggravated Assault
- 2 counts Criminal Damage to Property over $500.00
- 2 counts Criminal Damage to Government Supported Property
- Several traffic citations.
Deputies were assisted by officers from the Montgomery and Aurora Police Departments.
