PONTOON BEACH, Ill. — A man suffered life-threatening injuries early Monday morning in a crash that ended a police chase from north St. Louis County to the Metro East.
According to the St. Louis County Police Department, an officer with the City of Jennings Precinct attempted to stop an SUV for speeding just after midnight Monday near the intersection of Goodfellow Boulevard and Veronica Avenue.
The driver — a 28-year-old man from St. Louis — refused to stop and, instead, made a U-turn and drove straight at the officer, police said. The officer was able to avoid a crash and began the pursuit for first-degree attempted assault of a police officer.
The police chase traveled into Illinois, where the driver attempted to exit eastbound Interstate 270 at Pontoon Beach but lost control of the SUV, struck a median and was thrown from his vehicle, according to Illinois State Police.
The suspect, later identified by police as Attauiyo Ekong, was taken to an area hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The officer was uninjured, St. Louis County police said.
According to police, The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office issued a criminal charge against Ekong. He faces one count of resisting arrest by fleeing – creating a substantial risk of serious injury or death to any person.
Illinois Route 111 at I-270 was shut down as crews worked the scene of the crash. The roadway was reopened just before 5:30 a.m., according to ISP.
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