A 21-year-old man was arrested for the third time in less than three years for fleeing the police after he led officers on a pursuit in Wauconda and totaled his mother’s car, prosecutors said.
Martin Gonzalez, 21, of Wauconda, was charged with enhanced aggravated fleeing to elude causing damage, driving on a revoked license, reckless driving, unlawful possession of cannabis by a driver and improper traffic lane usage.
A Wauconda police officer was on patrol on Route 12 in Wauconda around 9:45 p.m. on April 12.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Elizabeth Cannon said the officer approached a red traffic light at Route 12 and Bonner Road.
He saw a 2017 Chrysler 300 stopped at the light. The vehicle suddenly activated its right turn signal and rolled through the red light upon the officer approaching.
The officer estimated the Chrysler was traveling at 55 mph and then increased speed up to 85 mph during the pursuit, Cannon said.
The Chrysler drove into oncoming traffic and nearly struck a car head-on.
Cannon said the officer was going to end the pursuit for safety reasons when the Chrysler crashed.
Gonzalez got out of the totaled Chrysler and called the officer by his name, Cannon said. The officer recognized Gonzalez from prior encounters.
Officers said they were amazed that Gonzalez and his younger brother, who was in the passenger seat, made it out of the crash alive. The Chrysler is owned by Gonzalez’s mother.
Cannon said Gonzalez, who was driving on a revoked license, was transported to the hospital for injuries. The younger brother refused to go to the hospital for his injuries.
In June 2021, Gonzalez was charged with aggravated fleeing to elude after fleeing from police and driving into oncoming traffic lanes of traffic on Northwest Highway in Crystal Lake.
In July 2022, Gonzalez was again charged, while on probation for the prior case, with aggravated fleeing to elude after he reportedly fled from police on at least three occasions in Lake County.
Gonzalez has juvenile criminal cases for burglary and theft.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Gonzalez following his most recent arrest.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak granted the petition and remanded Gonzalez to the Lake County Jail pending trial.
Gonzalez is scheduled to appear in court again on May 7.