THE FOLLOWING IS A DANVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT RELEASE
(ABOVE) Picture at Voorhees and Gilbert shortly after accident, taken by Shane Pataki.
On September 26, 2023 at approximately 6:30 pm, Danville Police (DP) Officers were on patrol in the area of Bowman Avenue and Fairchild Street when they observed a tan colored Ford Escape driven by a 22-year-old Danville man who officers knew had a revoked Illinois driver’s license. As the officers began to follow the vehicle, they observed it was driving erratically and struck the curb at the corner of Bowman Avenue and May Street.
DP Officers activated their emergency lights and siren in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle for the observed violations. The driver of the Ford Escape refused to stop and accelerated away from the officers. As the officers attempted to catch up to the vehicle, they observed the driver of the vehicle throw what appeared to be a handgun out the window in the vicinity of the 900 block of Norman Street. An officer exited his vehicle and recovered a handgun at the scene.
Officers were on the scene of the Tuesday evening accident at Voorhees and Gilbert until around midnight.
Other DP Officers continued to pursue the vehicle in an attempt to stop the driver and take him into custody when the pursuit traveled westbound on Voorhees Street towards Vermilion Street. Officers then observed the Ford Escape continue westbound and disregard the red light at the intersection of Voorhees and Vermilion Streets. As the officers approached the same intersection, they had to slow down and stop at the intersection due to the light still being red.
Once officers were able to proceed through the intersection they observed the Ford Escape several blocks ahead of them as it struck a black colored Chevrolet Silverado at the intersection of Voorhees and Gilbert Streets.
Officers continued to the crash scene and rendered aid to the occupants of both vehicles until medical personnel arrived on-scene. The occupants of the Chevrolet Silverado were identified as a 74-year-old man and a 33-year-old man both from Danville.
The occupants of the Chevrolet Silverado and the driver of the Ford Escape were all transported to an area hospital for treatment. The 74-year-old driver of the Chevrolet Silverado is currently listed in critical condition while the 33-year-old passenger is listed in stable condition. The driver of the Ford Escape is currently listed in stable condition.
Due to the circumstances surrounding the crash, the Illinois State Police (ISP) were contacted for assistance and the further investigation of this matter has been turned over to them. No additional details regarding this incident are available at this time, pending the completion of the ISP investigation. As of this date, the driver of the Ford Escape has not been formally charged so information regarding his identity is not being released at this time. The case is currently under review by the Vermilion County States Attorney’s Office for the possible filing of formal charges.
Anyone who has information regarding this incident is asked to call Danville Police at (217) 431-2250 or you can call Vermilion County Crime Stoppers at (217) 446-TIPS
