Driver Rolls Up Window On Cop During Stop, Speeds Off: Des Plaines PD

DES PLAINES, IL — Following an incident last month when she reportedly sped off from police after being pulled over for traffic infractions, a Vernon Hills woman has turned herself in. Donna Plodzien Dolezal, 66, of the 1100 block of Dearborn Lane, was arrested Wednesday and charged with felony aggravated fleeing a peace officer, misdemeanor charges of speeding, disobeying a police officer, and ticketed for disobeying a traffic control device, failure to give signal when required, operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

Dolezal was released following her arrest.

On May 5, police were on patrol near Des Plaines Road and Miner Street where a Mercedes-Benz C300 driven by Dolezal was stopped at the red light next to the officer in the outside lane. Police said Dolezal suddenly accelerated the car, driving into the intersection against the red light, and made a U-turn. The officer also conducted a U-turn and followed the Mercedes-Benz north on Des Plaines River Road.

According to police, at Elk Boulevard, Dolezal switched lanes without signaling and attempted to drive behind a Des Plaines Fire Department truck while its emergency lights were activated, and it was backing into the private drive. To avoid a collision, Dolezal made a second lane change without signaling and proceeded north when the officer activated his overhead emergency lights near Des Plaines River Road and Woodland Avenue.

After the vehicle came to a stop, the officer approached Dolezal, and informed her of the reason for the traffic stop. Dolezal provided the officer with her driver's license, but refused to give the officer her insurance card. When the officer returned to his patrol car, he noticed that the Mercedes-Benz had moved forward. The officer re-approached Dolezal and told her she could not leave and asked her to step out of the vehicle. Dolezal refused and, instead, rolled up her window and reportedly fled from the traffic stop.

The officer followed behind Dolezal with his emergency lights and sirens activated. However, Dolezal continued to increase speed and flee from the officer. The officer noted that Dolezal's speed was more than 80 MPH while approaching Central Road. At Des Plaines River Road and Gregory Street, the officer deactivated his emergency lights and pulled over while Dolezal continued driving.

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office approved the felony charge.