Chaos erupted on Williamson County roads when a high-speed pursuit of two alleged criminals in a stolen ride spiraled into a hazardous free-for-all, leaving multiple victims, including deputies. The wild chase unfolded across the Illinois landscape at frightening speeds, topping over 100 mph.
At approximately 1:50 p.m. on the 21st of November, deputies saw a vehicle committing traffic infractions along Route 13, east of Marion. As reported by WSILTV.com, the brazen criminals kept going, breaking more traffic laws and driving recklessly, weaving a trail of chaos through Marion and on towards the Lake of Egypt.
The sheriff's office said this was the same vehicle that fled from police a week ago. The suspects were then identified as Michael T. Wadley and Hailey J. Poppen. According to the WSILTV News, the suspect vehicle continued down the exit ramp, heading toward oncoming bumper-to-bumper interstate traffic. In the end, the fugitive vehicle rolls over and crashes on the shoulder of the road.
As per KFVS12 report, the driver was throwing out items from the car, which were later recovered and said to be digital scales commonly used in the manufacturing and distribution of illegal drugs. Emergency medical services swarmed the scene, attending to the injured as Wadley and Poppen were taken into custody. Deputies on the scene found drugs, drug paraphernalia, and a stock of a shotgun from the suspect's vehicle.
Both were taken to the Williamson County Jail and charged, including driving with a suspended license and having outstanding warrants for burglary and possession of meth, counts of possessing a stolen vehicle, aggravated fleeing and eluding, all the way down to aggravated speeding, and more, while Poppen faced her own serious charges.
