Man Smokes Weed, Flees Police, Causes Car Accident

A Broadview man who led police on a chase, causing a car accident, was charged with fleeing the scene and illegal transportation of alcohol, police said.

After an officer stopped a car March 4 near Madison and Home in Oak Park and got out of his squad car, the driver took off and caused an accident after running a red light. 

Police stopped to help the other person involved in the accident, and another officer later saw the people who fled crash into a tree at Elmwood and Madison. 

The passenger was picked up by two Chicago police officers as he left the car. He was later released without charges filed against him. The driver, Brandon S. Smith, 27, of Broadview, fled on foot but was tracked down in an alley. 

Police searched the car and said they smelled marijuana. They found several used, empty sandwich baggies in the front seat, as well as a digital scale in the glove compartment, all items "consistent with the activity of drug sales," according to police. 

An open bottle of Patron tequila was also found in the car. 

While at the police station, Smith told police he fled because, "I knew my license was suspended and I didn't want to get locked up." Smith said he hasn't worked since September, but he was in possession of $1,045 in cash. 

He was asked whether he dealt drugs, and he denied that but said he did smoke weed in the car before being pulled over. Police said Smith also has five drug-related convictions on his record. 

Smith was charged with attempting to flee from a police officer, driving with a suspended license, failure to signal, speeding, leaving the scene of an accident, driving without insurance and illegal transportation of alcohol. 

He was given a March 7 court date. 

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Police Blotter information is provided the Forest Park Police Department. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions taken on a given day, and persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If you or a family member are charged or cited and the case is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor. We will verify and report the outcome.

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