Park Forest, IL–(ENEWSPF)– A juvenile driver was able to elude Park Forest police last week during a high-speed chase on Monee Rd., but did not escape the long arm of the law. After officers in Park Forest called off the pursuit in the interest of public safety, the driver was finally apprehended by the Monee Police Department after finally losing control and crashing the vehicle.
On August 6, police responded to an alleged hit and run traffic accident that occurred at Western and North Street. Police informed area units that the offending vehicle, a green Cadillac with front end damage was last seen traveling south on Western. The victim/witness at that time provided a description of the driver, who was accompanied by multiple occupants, according to the report.
While on patrol northbound at Apple Lane, police witnessed a vehicle matching the offender description traveling southbound. Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the suspect vehicle allegedly failed to yield and continued south on Western, crossing Sauk Trail, and then turned right onto Monee Road, a two lane road with a posted speed limit or 30. The suspect vehicle proceeded west at a high rate of speed, faster than the pursuing officers who were traveling a 60 miles per hour. Police observed the vehicle make an improper lane change, crossing the double solid yellow lane divider at Orchard, going into oncoming eastbound traffic to pass slower westbound vehicles. The vehicle continued west at a high rate of speed, fishtailing multiple times on pavement which was slick from an earlier rain.
The pursuit was terminated due to poor weather and traffic conditions.
Later in the day, police learned the Monee P.D. was in pursuit of the suspect vehicle which had subsequently crashed at County Line Road and Will Center Road. The reporting Monee officer detained the driver of the vehicle, who was found to be a juvenile. The four passengers were also found to be juveniles. All subjects were transported to the Riverside hospital and later released. It was later learned that the driver was charged with numerous traffic offenses, misdemeanor endangering the life of a child, and a felony charge of aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer. The driver was transported to the River Valley Juvenile Center for a bond hearing. The juveniles ranged between the ages of four and 15.
