A stolen vehicle fled from police at a high rate of speed and crashed into another vehicle after driving through a red light in Round Lake Beach Saturday evening, authorities said.
A Round Lake Beach police officer spotted a 2020 Kia Forte driving without its headlights around 10:54 p.m. Saturday.
The officer attempted to stop the vehicle on Rollins Road at Hickory Avenue.
The Kia failed to stop and sped away at a high rate of speed, police said.
The officer did not pursue the vehicle because of traffic conditions and the driver’s dangerous actions.
Two minutes later, a 911 call was made for a vehicle crash at Rollins Road and Route 83 in Round Lake Beach.
One of the vehicles involved was the Kia that had fled from officers moments prior, police said.
Witnesses at the scene told investigators that the Kia disobeyed the red light while traveling eastbound on Rollins Road.
The Kia, which was still traveling at a high rate of speed, crashed into a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta as the Volkswagen was traveling southbound through the intersection.
The Kia subsequently lost control and crashed into a traffic light control box, knocking out power to the intersection.
The driver of the Kia fled on foot after the crash and has not been arrested, police said. No other occupants were believed to have been in the Kia.
Two occupants in the Volkswagen were treated by paramedics at the scene but did not require transport to a hospital.
The intersection of Route 83 and Rollins Road was closed for several hours.
Officers later learned that the Kia had been stolen from a Round Lake Beach residence before the crash.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Round Lake Beach Police Department at 847-546-2127.