Vehicle pursuit results in crash in White County
The Cass County Sheriff's Department engaged in a vehicle pursuit Tuesday night that resulted in a crash, according to a press release.
At approximately 8:30 p.m., Cass County Sheriff Deputy Leoudy Ventura observed a passenger vehicle speeding westbound on U.S. 24 near the Dunkirk exchange. He turned around and attempted to catch up to the vehicle, later identified as a 2003 black BMW.
Ventura observed the driver, later identified as Volo, Illinois, resident Aaron Koonce, had turned his lights off and was continuing westbound in the dark. Koonce eventually turned his lights back on, at which time Ventura attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle. After activating his emergency red and blue lights, Ventura said Koonce failed to yield and he pursued the vehicle.
During that time, it was reported that Koonce was driving recklessly in and out of traffic at high rates of speed. The pursuit continued westbound on U.S. 24 from Cass County into White County, and the White County Sheriff's Department was requested to assist, according to the press release.
Edgar Estudillo, an officer with the Monticello Police Department, was able to position himself ahead of the pursuit and successfully deploy stop sticks on Koonce's vehicle. However, the pursuit continued westbound on U.S. 24 toward Monticello. At that time, officers and deputies with the Monticello Police Department and White County's Sheriff's Department took over and continued the pursuit. Ventura continued to follow in the event other officers needed assistance.
A short time later, Koonce lost control of the vehicle and struck another vehicle in the area of Washington and Sixth Street in Monticello, and he was taken into custody by officers with the Monticello Police Department. He was transported to the Logansport Memorial Hospital with complaints of pain to his leg and teeth.
After being medically cleared, Koonce was transported to the Cass County Jail and charged with resisting law enforcement with a motor vehicle, dealing in marijuana, possession of marijuana and reckless driving. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
