Reckless Driver Hits Light Pole On Jefferson: Police

JOLIET, IL — A 21-year-old Joliet woman who crashed into a light pole on West Jefferson Street early Saturday morning was booked into the Will County Jail after Deja Dawson attacked the Joliet police officers responding to her wreck, authorities said.

A resident of the 900 block of Elizabeth Street, Dawson has been charged with aggravated battery to a peace officer, resisting the arrest and reckless driving. Around 2:40 a.m. Dawson was driving recklessly heading east on Jefferson Street when she tried to turn north on to Hammes Avenue, police said.

She lost control of her car and hit a light pole at the intersection.

According to Joliet police, Dawson's crash left the electrical wires exposed from the damaged light pole. She became very angry when officers told her to step outside her car for her own safety, police reports show.

"Officers removed her from the vehicle and Dawson pushed an officer in the chest," police spokesman Dwayne English announced. "Dawson continued to fight with officers, spitting on and kicking an officer in the leg."

English said the officer was not hurt during the incident. As for Dawson, she was taken by ambulance to St Joseph Medical Center for minor injuries from the crash. She was released from the hospital a short time later and brought to Will County's Jail.

She was released from custody on Sunday after posting 10 percent of her $6,000 bail.