THE FOLLOWING IS A DANVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT RELEASE
ABOVE: Keyshun T. Williams of Champaign, the alleged passenger from the traffic stop in Danville at Williams and Hazel; caught after foot pursuit.
On December 11, 2024 around 6:19 pm, Danville Police (DPD) attempted to conduct a traffic stop in the area of Williams St and Hazel St on a black in color Ford Fusion. DPD initiated the traffic stop for an equipment violation as well as the registered owner having a suspended driver’s license. The driver of the vehicle failed to stop for the officers and a vehicle pursuit began. The suspect vehicle then stopped briefly in the area of Williams St and Jackson St where the front seat passenger exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Responding officers pursued the passenger on foot and he was taken into custody in the area of the 100 block of Cherry St. The passenger was identified as 19-year-old Keyshun T. Williams of Champaign, IL. During the arrest of Williams, DPD searched the area Williams had fled and during that search, a loaded handgun was recovered.
After Williams fled from the vehicle, the driver of the Ford Fusion refused to stop for the officers and the vehicle pursuit continued. The suspect vehicle made its way through several streets in Danville and ultimately left the City limits by going westbound on Interstate 74 (I-74). The Vermilion County Sheriff’s Department assisted DPD officers and the pursuit continued on I-74 into Champaign County and entered into Urbana, IL via University Ave. The suspect vehicle continued to try to evade officers and drove through several streets in both Urbana and Champaign, IL before ultimately going back into Urbana where the vehicle came to a stop in the 1500 block of Cunningham Ave.
The driver of the Ford Fusion then fled from the vehicle on foot, officers gave chase, and the suspect was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit. The driver was identified as 21-year-old Taqwaun Pye of Urbana, IL. At the time of his arrest, Pye was in possession of a backpack and during a search of the backpack officers located several rounds of live ammunition as well as suspected methamphetamine and cannabis.
Williams was booked on preliminary charges of aggravated UUW, resisting and obstructing a police officer, possession of a firearm no FOID as well as an outstanding Vermilion County arrest warrant for a traffic offense. Pye was booked on preliminary charges of aggravated fleeing and eluding, aggravated assault, resisting and obstructing a police officer, driving with a suspended license, possession of ammunition no FOID, and possession of controlled substance. No injuries were reported during this incident.
Members of the public are reminded that a complaint is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The investigation into this incident continues and no other information is being released at this time.
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
