Reckless Driver Nearly Runs Over Shorewood's Deputy Chief: Allen

SHOREWOOD, IL — A 42-year-old woman from St. Louis has been charged with endangering the life of her 5-year-old son and reckless conduct following a bizarre set of events on the morning of May 27, according to Shorewood's Deputy Police Chief Eric Allen.

The criminal complaint against Danielle D. Williams indicates she nearly ran over Allen with her car. The charges were filed last week by Will County's State's Attorney's Office. Part of the complaint states that Williams "drove in circles at high speed, nearly striking Eric Allen and squad vehicles."

"I held her child and she drove 5o to 60 mph right at us," Allen told Joliet Patch during a recent interview. "I had to jump to the side. She nearly missed me by a couple of feet."

Around 7:30 a.m. May 27, Williams called 911 from the area near the BP gas station at the Shorewood exit along Interstate 55, claiming someone was shooting at her car, Allen said. She was on her way from St. Louis to Chicago and stopped in Shorewood.

Allen said that nobody was shooting at Williams. Police later realized Williams got a flat tire and mistook the sound of the tire going flat for the sound of gunshots.

"She blew a tire at the Shorewood exit," Allen said.

By the time Shorewood police arrived to investigate the purported shooting, Williams drove across the road to the Tyson Motors dealership, and she had a knife in her possession, Allen said.

Officers were able to rescue her 5-year-old child and bring him to safety as Williams then began driving her red sedan in circles at the Tyson dealership, Allen said. On several occasions, she came close to hitting the Shorewood officers on the scene, Allen said.

The incident unfolded over the course of several minutes.

"Our officers displayed a great level of restraint, and they definitely put their health and safety on the line in tremendous (fashion) to help her," Allen said.

Eventually, officers were able to box the woman's car and take her into custody. She was taken to St. Joe's hospital for a mental health evaluation, Allen said.

Allen said the woman's mental health indicated she needed to undergo medical care before facing criminal charges in Will County.