A woman, who was speeding and ‘highly intoxicated,’ was charged after she slammed her vehicle into a Waukegan police car early Sunday morning, injuring the officer inside.
Alisha Smith, 35, of the 2900 block of Willow Lane in Zion, was charged with criminal damage to government property, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving with a suspended driver’s license, unlawful use of a driver’s license, illegal transportation of alcohol, speeding and failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.
A Lake County sheriff’s deputy was in the area of Lewis Avenue and Laurel Avenue in Waukegan around 2:20 a.m. Sunday.
The deputy observed a Chevrolet Cruze traveling northbound on Lewis Avenue at a high rate of speed. The deputy clocked the car traveling 63 mph in a posted 35 mph zone.
Lake County Sheriff Spokesman Sgt. Christopher Covelli said that the deputy made a U-turn in an attempt to initiate a traffic stop on the Chevrolet.
Immediately after the deputy turned around, the driver of the Chevrolet, identified as Smith, slammed into the rear of a Waukegan police squad, which was stopped on Lewis Avenue in the area of Ballentine Street.
Smith then continued northbound, where her vehicle became disabled after a short distance.
The police sergeant inside the squad car was transported to an area hospital for evaluation.
Smith sustained some injuries in the crash but refused medical treatment, Covelli said.
Smith, who deputies said appeared heavily intoxicated, was arrested and charged. She was released from the Lake County jail on a $30,000 recognizance bond.