A police pursuit of a stolen vehicle through Danville Tuesday afternoon ended in a crash with another passenger vehicle.
During the pursuit, which started in the 1300 block of East Williams Street and ended in the area of Main Street and Brewer Road, a police squad car struck a concrete slab in alley near the 500 block of Griffin Street. The crash rendered the police car inoperable and an officer driving it received minor injuries.
Danville police reported the incident started at 4:51 p.m. when officers spotted a stolen Volkswagen Jetta on East Williams. Officers attempted to stop the stolen vehicle and a pursuit began when the driver refused to stop.
According to police, the pursuit continued eastbound to the area of Main Street and Brewer Road, where the stolen vehicle struck a Ford Flex that was also traveling eastbound. Both vehicles left the roadway and the pursuit ended. Officers took the driver of the stolen vehicle into custody.
The driver was identified as 29-year-old Stephen D. Reed of Danville. Reed is charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated fleeing and eluding, reckless endangerment and criminal damage to property.
The two occupants of the Ford Flex were evaluated by medical personnel and released at the scene. The officer who struck the concrete slab near Griffin Street was transported to OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center where he was treated for a fractured wrist and later released.
The investigation into the incident continues. 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.