DECATUR, IL : Two-vehicle crash in downtown Decatur on Tuesday, October, 31st 2017

The pursuit of a wanted person ended with a two-vehicle crash in downtown Decatur Tuesday evening, according to the Macon County Sheriff's Office.

Lt. Jamie Belcher said the pursuit began at about 6:30 p.m. on 1st Drive, after deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop with a white Chevrolet. The vehicle's passenger was wanted by the sheriff's office on a felony warrant, he said, and the driver fled northbound on N. Franklin Street.

The fleeing vehicle ran a red light at the intersection of Franklin and E. William Street, and was t-boned by a vehicle that had the right-of-way on William, Belcher said. The crash's impact caused the Chevrolet to roll over onto its side.

Belcher could not say how fast either the fleeing vehicle or the pursuing deputy's vehicle were traveling down Franklin Street.

After the crash, the wanted man tried to flee on foot, but was swiftly arrested by sheriff's deputies, Belcher said. He could not provide the charges that the man was originally wanted for on Tuesday evening.

At least two people were transported by Decatur Ambulance Service to a local hospital with minor injuries, Belcher said. Deputies tried to arrest the wanted man at the scene, but Belcher said he will be kept overnight at the hospital due to broken bones.

He could not confirm which of the suspect's bones were broken, or how many were broken during the crash. Belcher was also unable to confirm if any more arrests would be made on Tuesday.

Decatur police diverted traffic near the intersection as law enforcement worked to clean up the scene. The crash damaged a street light and knocked over a small tree.

Belcher said power lines were also downed because of the crash, and Ameren Illinois crews were at the scene to disconnect electricity to them.

Due to the sheriff's office's involvement in the pursuit that led to the crash, Belcher said the Illinois State Police has been contacted to investigate the crash itself.

This is standard protocol for any crash investigation that involves a vehicle being pursued by the sheriff's office, he said, and deputies will continue to carry out their own investigation of the events that led to the crash.

No further information was available Tuesday night.

Source :
Pursuit led to multi-vehicle crash in Decatur, sheriff's office says