COOK COUNTY, IL – A 38-year-old man has been charged with felonies following a traffic stop that injured a Sheriff’s Police Officer, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced today.
On Nov. 29, Sheriff’s Police conducted a traffic stop on Evaristo Chavez, of the 4600 block of North Springfield Avenue. During the stop, officers learned he was driving on a suspended registration and informed him that the vehicle was going to be towed. When one of the officers approached the front driver’s side of the vehicle to confirm additional information, Chavez placed the vehicle in drive and struck the officer’s right hand while fleeing at a high rate of speed.
The officer was transported to a local hospital, where he was treated for his injuries and released.
On Nov. 30, Sheriff’s Police officers located the vehicle in the 3000 Block of West 45th Street in Chicago and requested a tow. During this time, Chavez approached the officers and was taken into custody without incident.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved charges today for one count of Aggravated Battery to a Police Officer, a Class 2 felony, and one count Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding Police, a Class 4 felony. Chavez was also issued citations for driving on a suspended registration and driving without valid insurance.
Chavez is scheduled to appear for an initial hearing on Dec. 2 at the George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building.
The public is reminded that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by the government in a court of law.
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