A man who led police on a 100 mph pursuit in Round Lake was arrested and told officers he fled because he did not want to ruin the birthday of his friend, who was a passenger and was wanted.
Domingo R. Rios-Ayala, 18, of Round Lake Beach, was charged with two counts of aggravated fleeing to elude, reckless driving, uninsured motor vehicle causing bodily harm, two counts of disregarding a traffic control device, improper passing, changing lanes without a signal, speeding 35+ mph over limit, improper overtaking and speeding 26-34 mph over limit.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Manuel Mandujano said an officer was at Cedar Lake Road and Townline Road in Round Lake on November 2.
The officer saw a vehicle, driven by Rios-Ayala, driving 78 mph in a 45 mph zone, Mandujano said.
Officers attempted to perform a traffic stop on the vehicle but the driver failed to stop.
Rios-Ayala continued to flee and went through a red light at Cedar Lake Road and Route 120.
Rios-Ayala began traveling over 100 mph in a 50 mph zone, Mandujano said.
The officer traveled at 101 mph to keep up with Rios-Ayala, who passed another vehicle on the gravel shoulder.
Mandujano said Rios-Ayala continued driving over 100 mph and the officers discontinued their pursuit.
Rios-Ayala began slowing down so the officer attempted to stop him again but the suspect sped up again and fled, nearly hitting another vehicle.
Mandujano said officers went to Rios-Ayala’s residence and located the man, who responded with “Are you the officer I ran from?”
Rios-Ayala said he had a friend in the car with him at the time he ran and he did not want to ruin the friend’s birthday because the friend had an active warrant, Mandujano said.
Aggravated fleeing to elude and the other charges against Rios-Ayala are all non-detainable under Illinois’ SAFE-T Act.
Lake County Judge Raymond Collins released Rios-Ayala after imposing pre-trial conditions during an initial court hearing.
A status of attorney hearing is scheduled for November 27.