A traffic stop turned into a high-speed chase in Jacksonville Sunday night.
A Jacksonville Police officer initiated a traffic stop of a pickup truck near the intersection of West College and Prospect Street at approximately 7:30 pm Sunday.
According to an initial report by JPD, the pickup initially complied and pulled over to the side of the road however, before the officer could get up to the truck, the driver fled in the truck.
A pursuit ensued with multiple Jacksonville Police units that joined in the chase. According to one witness account, an older pickup truck ran through the stop sign at Westgate and Lafayette Streets with two Jacksonville Police cruisers in pursuit.
The truck led police across route 104 and onto Liberty Road. The chase was later seen by another witness on Headen Road near Merritt. Jacksonville Police officials say it was around that time the situation became unsafe to continue and officers terminated the pursuit.
A Jacksonville Police spokesperson did not give any information about the driver of the vehicle, however, they indicated the individual was known by police. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the Jacksonville Police Department at 217-479-4630.
Information can also be provided anonymously by contacting Morgan, Scott, Cass Crime Stoppers at 217-243-7300, online at morganscottcrimestoppers.webs.com, or by sending a text message to the word crimes with the first word of the text saying payout.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously via the Morgan, Scott, Cass County mobile app. Crime Stoppers says if your tip leads to an arrest, you will be eligible for a cash reward.