Tree Struck On Western Avenue, Fleeing Suspect Tased: Police

JOLIET, IL — Joliet police arrested 33-year-old Joliet resident Adrian Clark early Monday morning after police say he nearly hit a Joliet squad car, sped off, crashed into a tree, hit a median, and then tried to run away before officers used a Taser to subdue him.

Clark is now in the Will County Jail, and he has been charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon by a convicted felon, aggravated fleeing/eluding a peace officer, six counts of aggravated resisting a peace officer, obstructing a peace officer, unlawful possession of ammunition, having no Firearm Owners ID and criminal damage to property.

At 12:02 a.m., Joliet police say they tried to pull Clark over along North Raynor Avenue near Richmond Street after he was driving erratically and almost hit a police car.

Clark refused to stop, prompting a police chase on the city's near west side, the agency said.

"During the pursuit, the fleeing vehicle left the roadway onto the front lawn of a residence in the 500 block of Western Avenue at which time the vehicle struck a tree and then continued to flee officers after returning to the roadway," Joliet police said.

Clark's car broke down after he crashed into the median near South Center and Pleasant Streets, reports reflect. Clark jumped out of his car and tried to outrun the Joliet officers, but he was unsuccessful, according to police.

"Officers caught up to Clark at which time he struggled with officers attempting to arrest him. Officers deployed a taser and Clark was taken into custody without further incident," Joliet police said.

Clark had a gun inside his car, police said. A Joliet Fire Department ambulance took Clark to the AMITA Health Saint Joseph Medical Center because of injuries he sustained during the incident, police said.

By 5:02 a.m., Clark was booked into the Will County Jail. He lives in the apartment units in the unit block of South Cagwin Avenue, jail records show.