A man, who is on parole and had an active warrant, is being held on a $2.5 million bond after authorities say he struck and injured a police detective with a vehicle while fleeing in Zion.
The Zion Police Department received information around 11 a.m. Tuesday regarding Devon Davidson, 31, of Zion.
The tipster alerted police that Davidson, who was actively wanted for an aggravated battery case, was arriving at a residence in the 2900 block of Gabriel Avenue in Zion, according to Zion Police Department Detective Lt. Paul Kehrli.
Davidson is also on parole for aggravated unlawful restraint in a kidnapping case, which occurred in Zion in 2020.
Detectives were conducting surveillance when they saw a person matching Davidson’s description arrive at the home and get out of the passenger seat of a silver Nissan.
Detectives approached the man and confirmed it was Davidson, who was walking toward the home, Kehrli said.
Kehrli said detectives told Davidson he was under arrest but the man fled to the Nissan, taking control of the vehicle from its driver.
Davidson nearly rammed a squad car and then drove into a police detective, knocking him to the ground, Kehrli said.
Kehrli said that Davidson drove off at a high rate of speed but police did not follow him due to his “reckless disregard for human life.”
The detective was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
A countywide broadcast was sent out to area police departments about the incident.
The Waukegan Police Department reported that the vehicle Davidson had been driving was involved in a crash at the intersection of Jackson Street and Franklin Street a short time later.
A person matching Davidson’s description exited the driver’s seat and fled westbound from the crash scene before police arrived, Kehrli said.
The Zion Police Department responded to assist the Waukegan Police Department with searching for Davidson.
Davidson was located hiding in a backyard a few blocks from the crash scene, Kehrli said. He was identified by witnesses as being the driver that caused the crash.
The driver of the vehicle that Davison hit was transported to the hospital for minor injuries.
Davidson was also brought to the hospital but refused treatment and was transported to the Lake County Jail, Kehrli said.
In addition to Davidson’s warrant, he was also charged with aggravated battery to a peace officer, aggravated assault and resisting arrest.
A judge ordered Davidson held in the Lake County Jail on a $2.5 million bond.
Davidson would need to post $250,000 cash in order to be released from the jail.