Fairfield, Ill. – A traffic stop on U.S. Highway 45 escalated into a high-speed pursuit Saturday night, leading to multiple felony charges.
According to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy attempted to stop a vehicle traveling on U.S. 45 on February 7, 2026. Authorities said the driver allegedly fled, reaching speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour during the pursuit.
The chase ended when the deputy, along with an officer from the Fairfield Police Department, took 27-year-old Jacob A. Waldrop of Mill Shoals into custody.
Waldrop has been lodged in the Wayne County Jail on preliminary charges of armed violence, unlawful possession of a weapon or ammunition by a felon, unlawful possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, reckless driving, and violation of pretrial release conditions.
Authorities have not released additional details about the duration of the pursuit or whether any injuries were reported. According to the sheriff’s office, the incident remains under investigation.
High-speed pursuits along U.S. 45 can affect local commuters and student drivers who regularly travel the corridor.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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