McHenry man pleads to speeding, drug charge after 140 mph ride

A McHenry man who blew off some steam after a fight with his girlfriend by rocketing 140 mph aboard his motorcycle down a residential street said he expects he'll soon be in prison after pleading guilty Wednesday to speeding and a related drug charge.

Andrew E. Seekings, 28, admitted to charges of speeding more than 40 mph over the limit and possession of a controlled substance stemming from the June 18 incident in which police said he tossed a bag of cocaine out of his pocket while being pulled over.

The drug charge normally is punishable by a maximum one to three years in prison, but because of his record Seekings faces up to six years behind bars when sentenced Jan. 27. McHenry County prosecutors say they will seek a prison term of about 42 months.

Seekings, of the 700 block of Emerald Drive, said outside court Wednesday that he's not a bad guy, or a bad driver, just someone who did something "really stupid."

"I wasn't trying to hurt anybody and I didn't flee or elude the police," he said. "I stopped as soon as I realized they were there."

McHenry police arrested Seekings shortly after 6:41 p.m. June 18 after a patrol officer using radar to check for speeders near the 1700 block of North Oak Drive clocked his 2006 Yamaha motorcycle traveling 65 mph in a 20 mph zone, court documents state.

The officer began following but could not keep up and cut off the pursuit as Seekings turned west on Prairie Avenue and began driving even faster, police said. Seekings, however, stopped on his own and was seen throwing something out of his pocket as the officer pulled up to him, police said.

When approached by the officer, police said, Seekings admitted he had been traveling 140 mph down Prairie, which is a 25 mph zone.

As part of a plea agreement Wednesday, county prosecutors dismissed several other misdemeanor and traffic charges initially filed against Seekings, including reckless driving, driving on a revoked license and driving without insurance.