By T. C. Mayfield, The Chicago Times
April 11, 2023
CAROL STREAM, IL – A Roselle teen was charged for leading police on a high-speed chase in Carol Stream.
According to prosecutors, on April 7, 2023, around 10:27 pm, a Carol Stream police officer observed a car, allegedly driven by the 14-year-old suspect, turning out of a McDonald’s parking lot southbound on Schmale Road with no registration plates. As the police officer began following the vehicle, the teen driver allegedly fled and turned off the vehicle’s lights causing the officer to lose track of the vehicle. The teen suspect then allegedly turned north on Gary Avenue and turned his lights back on at which time the officer activated his emergency lights and sirens and pursued the vehicle. It is alleged that the teen suspect reached speeds of 80 mph in a 45 mph-zone. After a short high-speed pursuit, the vehicle crashed into a tree at North Avenue and County Farm Road. On scene, officers found the suspected vehicle, but the driver had fled the scene on foot. The teen suspect later surrendered himself to the Carol Stream Police Department.
“Driving is a privilege, not a right,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said. “Furthermore, it is a privilege reserved for those above sixteen years of age with a valid driver’s license. The allegations that a fourteen-year-old boy, two years away from even taking his driver’s test, led police on a high-speed chase is extremely disturbing. Anyone who attempts to flee from police will be caught and will only find themselves facing more serious charges, as alleged in this case. Thankfully, no innocent motorists or pedestrians were injured or worse as a result of this juvenile’s alleged actions. I cannot stress this enough, if you hear sirens and see flashing lights behind you, pull over and cooperate with the police. Leading the police on a high-speed chase will only make matters worse.”
The teen suspect appeared at a detention hearing on Monday and was ordered to be held until his next court appearance. The teen suspect has been charged with two felony counts of aggravated fleeing or eluding a police officer and one misdemeanor count of reckless driving.
The Chicago Times 