Man Sent 7 To St. Joe's Hospital By Fleeing County Deputies On Jefferson Street: Sheriff

JOLIET, IL ? The Will County Sheriff's Office announced on Friday morning that 26-year-old fleeing motorist Corey D. Jacobs of Joliet was responsible for Thursday's late morning horrific wreck on West Jefferson Street that sent seven people to the hospital.

A search of Jacobs? vehicle revealed cocaine, fentanyl, and an AR-15-style pistol, the sheriff noted. Jacobs suffered a broken ankle and will be transported to the Will County Jail upon his release from the hospital.

Jacobs now faces the following charges:

• Possession of a Firearm by a Repeat Offender
• Armed Violence
• Manufacturing/Delivery of Cocaine (3 counts)
• Manufacturing/Delivery of Fentanyl
• Aggravated Fleeing/Eluding ? Property Damage
• Aggravated Fleeing/Eluding ? Personal Injury
• Felon in Possession of a Firearm

The sheriff's agency said that at approximately 11:55 a.m., Will County Sheriff?s deputies tried to capture Jacobs following a months-long narcotics investigation. Jacobs was behind the wheel of a red Chevrolet sedan parked in a parking lot in the 1500 block of West Jefferson Street.

When deputies approached and announced themselves, authorities say Jacobs fled at a high rate of speed out of the parking lot and headed eastbound on West Jefferson Street. Deputies did not pursue the vehicle.

As Jacobs approached the intersection of Reed Street and West Jefferson Street, he failed to stop for a red light and entered the intersection at a high rate of speed, striking five vehicles, Friday's press release said. Deputies arrived moments later and immediately began providing emergency aid to those injured.

Both Jacobs and his front-seat passenger were extricated from the vehicle and treated at the scene before being transported to an area hospital.

In total, eight people were involved in the crash. Seven went to local hospitals with injuries ranging from back pain to multiple broken bones, and one person refused treatment at the scene.

"Fortunately, none of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening," Will County announced.