High-speed chase leads to charges for two women

Two women were denied pretrial release after officials say they led Oak Brook police on a high-speed chase Saturday, according to DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin.

Vanessa Mejia, 29, of Elmwood Park, and Magaly Valencia, 21, of Des Plaines, were charged with a felony count of aggravated fleeing and eluding, and multiple misdemeanor and traffic offenses. Valencia also was charged with a felony count of concealing or aiding a fugitive.

According to a news release from the DuPage County state’s attorney’s office, at about 10:14 p.m. Aug. 1, an Oak Brook police officer attempted to make a traffic stop at Butterfield and Meyers roads for a car with expired license plates and tinted windows. Authorities say the car was an Infiniti driven by Mejia.

While attempting to pull behind the Infiniti to make the stop, the police officer was impeded by a trailing Dodge Charger, later found to be driven by Valencia, officials said.

During the pursuit, officials said Mejia reached 104 mph in a 45-mph zone on Butterfield Road until she lost control of the car and crashed.

As the police officer applied his brakes, Valencia’s trailing vehicle crashed into the patrol car, causing significant damage.

The officer was taken to a local hospital for treatment, authorities said.

Berlin said in a statement that officials are thankful the injury suffered by the officer “appears to be minor and that no innocent motorists were injured or killed.”

Mejia and Valencia are scheduled to return to court on Aug. 31.

doberhelman@dailyherald.com