Chicago Man Charged With Fleeing Police, Driving Into Oncoming Traffic On Route 59 In Naperville

After being clocked at 104mph in a 45mph zone, a Chicago man allegedly fled Naperville police by driving into oncoming traffic on Route 59 near I-88.

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres announced yesterday that Judge Joshua Dieden granted the State’s motion to detain the 22-year-old subject after he appeared at First Appearance Court Thursday morning charged with one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding a Police Officer (Class 4 Felony) and multiple Misdemeanor traffic offenses, including Reckless Driving.

On Wednesday at approximately 11:25pm, a Naperville police officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle allegedly driven by the subject near I-88 and Route 59 after observing the vehicle traveling 104 mph in a 45-mh zone. When the officer activated his emergency lights and sirens, instead of pulling over, the subject continued driving at a high rate of speed away from the officer.

While attempting to flee, the subject ignored a red light at I-88 and Route 59 and drove into oncoming traffic northbound in the southbound lanes of Route 59, dodging seven vehicles, before officers were able to cut him off and boxed in his vehicle.

At the time of his arrest, the subject was also charged with misdemeanor fleeing and eluding in connection with a separate incident in April 2023 in Naperville.

“Last year we saw an epidemic of people fleeing from police. After seeing an increase of approximately 65% in aggravated fleeing and eluding cases in 2023, our response has led to a decrease of 20% of these cases so far this year,” Berlin said. “Fleeing from law enforcement puts the police officers involved and motoring public at great risk and will not be tolerated in DuPage County. With public safety as my office’s top priority, the message remains the same, if you hear sirens and see flashing lights behind you, pull over. Any attempt to outrun the police will prove futile and will only make matters worse.”

The suspect’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 4, 2024, for arraignment in front of Judge Daniel Guerin.