A police officer was nearly struck by a wrong-way driver who then fled from officers at a high rate of speed, crashed into a building in Waukegan and fled on foot, prosecutors said.
A Waukegan police officer was on patrol around 12:02 a.m. on March 12 traveling northbound on Lewis Avenue in Waukegan.
A black Toyota RAV4 drove into the oncoming lane of traffic directly at the officer, according to Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Elizabeth Cannon.
The officer swerved her patrol vehicle to avoid being struck by the Toyota and then performed a U-turn and pursued the Toyota, which fled at a high rate of speed.
Cannon said the driver of the Toyota committed numerous traffic offenses, struck two street signs and struck the corner of the building of Grand Liquors and Grand Tequila at Grand Avenue and Butrick Street in Waukegan before continuing westbound to Pine Street.
Officers followed the Toyota and it turned southbound and crashed into some trash cans.
A man, later identified as Alexander N. Callejas, 33, of Waukegan, was seen on video exiting the Toyota and fleeing on foot from the area, Cannon said.
Police later spoke with the registered owner of the car, who was the girlfriend of Callejas
The woman has an active order of protection against Callejas and he was previously convicted of domestic battery against her.
Cannon said Callejas’ probation conditions also prohibit him from having contact with her or her residence despite him reportedly living there.
She told officers she was allowing Callejas to use her vehicle that day and that he called her just after 12 a.m. to tell her he crashed her car.
Officers found Callejas hiding and asleep under his bed in his bedroom. He admitted to officers he had several drinks, Cannon said.
Callejas was charged with two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of enhanced violation of an order, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, leaving the scene of a crash, turn signal violation, disregarding a traffic control device, improper traffic lane usage and driving without a license.
“The Defendant flagrantly violated multiple court orders as well as numerous state laws by his actions,” Cannon said.
“There are no conditions that this Court could impose that he would abide by. His behavior demonstrates that he is a threat to the safety of both the community and to the victim… and he should be detained,” Cannon added.
Lake County Judge Michael Nerheim granted a petition filed by the state’s attorney’s office to detain Callejas pending trial.
Callejas is scheduled to appear in court again on April 10 for a preliminary hearing.