Driver Dead, 1 Charged After Shooting Leads To Chase, Crash

AURORA, IL — One man is dead and another faces multiple felony charges following a police chase and crash prompted by a shooting Wednesday. Police say the driver of the gray Monte Carlo that was involved in the chase died of his injuries Wednesday evening. He was identified as Erik Esparza, 24, of Aurora.

Police charged a man who was a passenger in the car, Adrien Betsinger, 23, of the 500 block of Woodlawn Avenue, Aurora, with the shooting. Betsinger was charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated discharge and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Aurora police got a call around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday of shots fired in the 600 block of Broadway. They then spotted a Monte Carlo that matched the description of the suspect vehicle and attempted to stop it, but say the driver failed to yield.

Police say the car also matched the description of a car involved in an aggravated discharge of a firearm in the 400 block of South State Street Tuesday night.

According to a press release, "With the knowledge that the offenders in the suspected vehicle were potentially involved in two shooting incidents in less than 24 hours, Aurora Police Department patrol supervisors believed that the offenders in the vehicle posed a great risk to the community at large and allowed officers to continue to pursue."

Police say the Monte Carlo was seen "driving at a high rate of speed into on-coming traffic along East New York Street." Officers then called off the pursuit before the car got to Route 59.

It was involved in a crash near Fox Valley Mall shortly after.

Esparza and two passengers from the Monte Carlo were taken to nearby hospitals. The other passengers are in stable and critical condition, police said in a recent update. Police say the driver of another car had minor injuries.

Police added that they found two illegal guns inside the Monte Carlo.

A 35-year-old man with a gunshot wound sustained during the shooting in question was also taken to a nearby hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. After an investigation, police say they learned that Betsinger had fired "multiple shots" at the man while he was sitting in his car in the 600 block of South Broadway.

Shooting Leads To Chase, Crashes Near Fox Valley Mall

Betsinger is currently being held in Kane County Jail with bail set at $3 million. He is set to appear in court on March 5.