Pursuit Results in Crash and Arrest
At approximately 3:00 a.m. this morning, Kankakee County Sheriff’s deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle departing a motel on South Route 45/52 in Kankakee. The vehicle immediately fled from law enforcement, traveling northbound on Interstate 57 through Kankakee and Bradley before continuing north toward Bourbonnais.
The pursuit continued on North Route 45/52 near 6000 North Road (Bourbonnais Parkway), where the fleeing vehicle collided with a Sheriff’s Deputy’s squad car. The collision caused the suspect’s vehicle to leave the roadway, enter a ditch, and overturn.
The driver, identified as Alexander M. Zaragoza, 40, of Kankakee, exited the overturned vehicle and fled on foot into a nearby farm field. Following a brief physical struggle, deputies apprehended Zaragoza. A 40-year-old passenger in the vehicle was treated and released at the scene for minor injuries.
Zaragoza, who was wanted on multiple outstanding felony warrants, was transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries before being booked into the Jerome Combs Detention Center. He remains in custody, awaiting a detention hearing on the following charges:
1. Criminal Damage to Government Property (>$500-$10,000)
2. Reckless Driving
3. Possession of Stolen Title/Certificate/Plate
4. Driving on a Suspended License
5. Resisting/Obstructing a Peace Officer or Correctional Employee
6. Obstructing a Peace Officer or Correctional Employee
7. Uninsured Motor Vehicle/Bodily Harm
8. Attempting to Disarm a Peace Officer or Correctional Employee
9. Aggravated Battery to a Peace Officer
10. Aggravated Fleeing/Eluding Police (21 mph over speed limit)
11. Aggravated Fleeing/Eluding (2+ Control Devices)
12. Four Active Warrants – Kankakee County
13. One Active Warrant – Iroquois County
Sheriff Mike Downey expressed his relief that no officers or members of the public were seriously injured during the incident.
“I am extremely grateful that no police officers or area motorists were severely injured during the events that transpired this morning,” said Sheriff Downey. “Unfortunately, this individual—who, without the failed provisions of Illinois’ SAFE-T Act, would already have been incarcerated—has repeatedly fled from law enforcement. In fact, he was wanted on a warrant related to a previous pursuit that spanned several counties and police jurisdictions. Career criminals like this defendant have shown a willingness to evade capture by any means necessary, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the law and public safety. I sincerely hope the courts will keep this individual off our streets before someone is seriously injured or worse. I continue to commend the diligent efforts of our local law enforcement despite the increasingly difficult circumstances created by recent legislation.”
