Driver Without License Crashes Into Pole, Injuring 2 Women: JPD

JOLIET, IL —A 26-year-old Joliet man without a driver's license crashed into a metal pole while speeding away from a Joliet police car giving chase, leaving two female passengers injured, according to authorities.

Bryan Pineda-Rodriguez, who comes from the 800 block of Wilcox Street, was arrested on charges of aggravated fleeing and eluding police and obstructing a peace officer.

Around 8:40 p.m. Saturday, officers tried to pull over Pineda-Rodriguez near Jefferson Street and Larkin Avenue for making an improper turn. Pineda-Rodriguez eventually pulled over his Dodge Neon near Jefferson and Midland Avenue, but when officers approached his car, he decided to hit the gas and speed away, police reports show.

"As the driver continued eastbound on West Jefferson Street approaching Reed Street, he lost control of the vehicle, striking a metal post on the southeast side of the intersection," Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English announced.

Pineda-Rodriguez and two women who were his passengers were taken to St. Joe's hospital for treatment of minor injuries, police noted.

According to police, Pineda-Rodriguez was also cited for having no valid driver’s license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, improper turn at an intersection, improper lane use, failure to signal and failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

After being booked into the county jail around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Pineda-Rodriguez was let go around 5 p.m. when he posted 10 percent of his $10,000 bail.