A judge called it “very disturbing” but lucky no one was hurt after a driver, who prosecutors said was over two times the drinking limit, fled from police and nearly ran over bystanders and officers at the Scoop event in Waukegan.
Brittney M. Mack, 38, of Waukegan, was charged with aggravated assault of a peace officer, aggravated driving under the influence, aggravated fleeing to elude police, two counts of driving under the influence, obstructing a peace officer, resisting a peace officer, reckless driving, failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash and improper traffic lane usage.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Nicholas Shepherd said a Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy spotted a woman driving on the wrong side of the road in the area of Washington Street and County Street in Waukegan on Friday.
The driver, who was later identified as Mack, appeared intoxicated, Shepherd said.
The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop and Mack fled from the deputy.
Shepherd said the Waukegan Police Department chased Mack with lights and sirens while attempting to conduct a traffic stop.
Mack struck multiple vehicles in an effort to flee from officers and a detective was placed in fear that Mack would strike his squad car, Shepherd said.
A video showed the light-colored, older-model Toyota Camry nearly hit bystanders and officers on foot in the area of Water Street and Genesee Street.
The vehicle drove northbound on Genesee Street from Water Street as officers surrounded the car, which continued traveling, the video taken around 6:30 p.m. showed.
An officer was seen leaping out of the water to avoid being hit.
It then reversed down Genesee Street southbound while facing north before the driver placed the car in drive, crashed through barricades blocking Genesee Street at Water Street, and drove southbound on Genesee Street toward Lake Street, the video showed.
A bystander was forced to run out of the way to avoid being hit, the video showed. There were at least 100 pedestrians in the area, prosecutors said.
Shepherd said officers caught up with the vehicle at Lake Street and Sheridan Road where three squad cars boxed in the Toyota to stop it.
Shepherd said Mack exhibited signs of impairment, including bloodshot, glassy eyes and slow, sluggish movement.
Mack registered a 0.206 blood alcohol concentration on a breathalyzer test, Shepherd said. She does not have a valid driver’s license.
The incident happened where Scoop Waukegan, formerly known as Scoop the Loop, was taking place. It is an annual classic car event.
Mack appeared in First Appearance Court on Saturday morning and the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain her.
The charges are not typically detainable under the Illinois SAFE-T Act but prosecutors argued under a “catch-all” provision of the act that the charges qualify because Mack’s actions involved the threat of great bodily harm or permanent disfigurement or disability.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Eryka Jones said Mack has previously been arrested five times, including for driving without a license, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and domestic battery.
A detention hearing was held on Monday afternoon and Lake County Judge Ari Fisz granted the petition, remanding Mack to the Lake County Jail.
Fisz called Mack’s action “very disturbing” and “very concerning,” noting that the Scoop event is a very large event and it is lucky that nobody was hurt in the incident.
Mack is scheduled to appear in court again on August 6 for a status of preliminary hearing.