Oak Brook Chase: Driver Interfered As Cop Pursued Woman, Police Say

OAK BROOK, IL – A woman sped away from an Oak Brook officer trying to stop her Saturday night, as another driver tried to interfere, authorities said.

Vanessa Mejia, 29, of Elmwood Park, and Magaly Valencia, 21, of Des Plaines, were each charged with felony aggravated fleeing and eluding, along with multiple misdemeanor and petty traffic offenses, police said.

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Valencia was also charged with one count of felony concealing or aiding a fugitive.

About 10 p.m. Saturday, an Oak Brook police officer tried to stop an Infiniti driven by Mejia for expired plates and tinted windows near Butterfield and Meyers roads, according to the news release.

As the officer activated emergency lights and tried to get behind the Infiniti, a trailing Dodge Charger driven by Valencia attempted to interfere with the officer's ability to get behind the Infiniti and conduct the stop, police said.

Prosecutors alleged Mejia then sped down Butterfield Road at more than 104 mph in a 45 mph zone. They said she lost control of the Infiniti while trying to pass another car and crashed. Mejia was then arrested.

After the first crash, the officer immediately applied his brakes and Valencia, who had kept pace with the officer during the pursuit, lost control of her vehicle and crashed into the officer's squad car, causing significant damage, police said.

After that crash, the officer was taken to a local hospital because of minor injuries, authorities said.

"The allegations that these two defendants sped down an extremely busy road in excess of one hundred miles per hour are outrageous," Berlin said. "What I find particularly alarming, however, is the allegation that Ms. Valencia interfered with the officer during the pursuit and ultimately crashed into the officer's squad car."