Three men were seriously injured in a Danville traffic accident caused by a driver eluding the police.
A 74 year old Danville man has been listed in critical condition. Two other Danville men have been listed in stable condition. Their names have not yet been released.
Deputy Police Chief Josh Webb says about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, officers on patrol at Bowman and Fairchild Street saw an SUV being driven by a 22 year old man who they knew had a revoked license. As the officers began to follow the vehicle, they observed it was driving erratically.
Officers activated their emergency lights and siren in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop. The driver refused to stop and accelerated away from the officers. Officers observed the driver of the vehicle throw what appeared to be a handgun out the window in the 900 block of Norman Street. An officer exited his vehicle and recovered a handgun at the scene.
Other Officers continued to pursue the vehicle in an attempt to stop the driver. The pursuit traveled westbound on Voorhees Street toward Vermilion Street. The driver disregarded the red light at the intersection of Voorhees and Vermilion Streets. Officers then observed the driver striking a truck at the intersection of Voorhees and Gilbert. Police rendered aid to occupants of both vehicles until medical personnel arrived.
The occupants of the truck were identified as a 74-year-old man and a 33-year-old man. They and the driver of the SUV were all taken to the hospital.
Due to the circumstances surrounding the crash, the Illinois State Police were contacted for assistance. Further investigation of this matter has been turned over to them.
The case has been under review by the Vermilion County States Attorney’s Office and formal charges have not yet been filed.
