An Illinois judge has slammed the brakes on an Aurora woman's freedom, granting the state's motion to keep her locked up pre-trial after she allegedly took police on a high-octane 122 mph chase, according to the Naperville Police Department and the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office. Imira Williams, 22, has been hit with two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding and one count of misdemeanor attempt aggravated assault after her early morning escapades last Saturday took a dangerous turn.
Williams reportedly ignored seven red lights in her flight from the law before blasting onto the I-88 at mind-numbing speeds. Before the arrest, police conducting surveillance, with eagle eyes, spotted a firearm peeking from between the center console and passenger seat of a vehicle at Bowlero's parking lot. It is alleged that after smoking cannabis, Williams played a game of cat-and-mouse, barreling towards an officer with his emergency lights on, forcing him to dodge death by veering his squad car aside.
"The alleged conduct of Ms. Williams demonstrates that she has absolutely no concern for public safety or for the safety of the officer involved in the pursuit," State's Attorney Robert Berlin remarked, praising Judge Anthony Coco's decision to detain Williams. In a move to quell the tumult of wheels and lawlessness, the court's ruling underscores DuPage County's zero tolerance for such reckless abandon. Berlin, reinforcing the message of dire consequences for perilous antics, "sends the message that in DuPage County we will not tolerate this type of dangerous behavior," as per the joint release.
Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres chimed in on the growing trend of high-speed police chases. "This is both a blatant disregard for the rule of law and an extremely dangerous and unacceptable risk to public safety," he said, commending the synergistic effort that clipped Williams' wings: the DuPage County Sheriff's Office for the arrest and State’s Attorney Bob Berlin's office for leveling charges reflecting the gravity of her misdeeds, according to the joint release.
Williams is anticipated to face the music at her arraignment scheduled for December 26, 2023.
