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Manhunt on for Aurora man who escaped hospital after chase

Authorities are searching for a 38-year-old Aurora man who escaped from a hospital Tuesday afternoon after leading police on a chase in which his passenger also was injured.

Billy J. Cole has been charged with five felonies stemming from the chase, which began about 3:35 p.m. Monday after a Kane County Sheriff's deputy saw a black Ford Fusion speeding north on Lafayette Street. The vehicle did not stop after the deputy activated emergency lights.

The chase ended minutes later after the Fusion struck a traffic signal pole on the southeast corner of Route 25 and Ashland Avenue, authorities said.

The driver, Cole, ran from the scene and into a nearby cemetery and ignored police commands to stop. Cole was arrested after he was cornered by a police dog and an officer who threatened to use a stun gun on him, authorities said.

Cole was taken to Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora, where he stayed overnight. Deputies learned about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday that Cole had fled the hospital.

Cole, who is 6-feet 3-inches tall and 210 pounds, was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt and gray sweatpants. His last known residence is on the 2000 block of Greyhawk Drive, according to the sheriff's office.

He is charged with aggravated fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer, aggravated reckless driving causing great bodily harm, leaving the scene of an accident with injuries, driving on a license that was revoked because of a DUI, driving while license revoked and causing an injury, resisting a police officer, and running a stop sign, according to authorities.

An arrest warrant was issued Tuesday.

Cole also has an outstanding, unserved order of protection out of Sangamon County.

His passenger, a 27-year-old Aurora man, also was injured and taken to Rush-Copley. He was not charged.

The Fusion was owned by Cole's passenger's ex-girlfriend, who had reported to Aurora police that the car was taken without her permission Sunday.

Anyone with information about Cole should call the sheriff's office at (630) 444-1103 or Aurora Police at (630) 256-5000 or 256-5500.

One hurt in chase, crash in Aurora

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