Gurnee, IL – A 34-year-old unincorporated Gurnee man is in custody after allegedly causing multiple crashes and leading deputies on a high-speed pursuit through Lake County on Tuesday afternoon.
According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded around 5:50 p.m. Tuesday to a report of two hit-and-run incidents involving a suspected impaired driver near Grandwood Park in unincorporated Gurnee. Witnesses reported the suspect, who appeared to be bleeding and driving erratically, initially struck a vehicle near a gas station in the 36000 block of Grandwood Drive before fleeing and crashing into a second vehicle in the lot.
Deputies soon located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver allegedly continued fleeing recklessly. At the intersection of Stearns School Road and Hunt Club Road, the suspect allegedly sideswiped two vehicles, causing minor injuries to one of the drivers.
The pursuit intensified after the suspect was momentarily blocked by traffic at Hunt Club Road and Grand Avenue. Deputies tried to enter the suspect’s vehicle to prevent further flight, but he managed to escape again once the traffic cleared.
The chase extended eastbound, then southbound on Route 21. Authorities say the suspect ran a red light at Route 21 and Gages Lake Road, t-boning a vehicle making a left turn. Four people in that vehicle, including two children, were transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect allegedly struck a second northbound vehicle soon after, injuring another driver.
A deputy ultimately disabled the fleeing vehicle using their squad car. The suspect was taken into custody and treated along with all other injured individuals.
The Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT) and the Technical Crash Investigations Team are investigating. Charges are pending.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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