Waukegan cop jumps in fleeing vehicle, stops man

A Waukegan police officer who jumped into a fleeing offender’s vehicle to avoid being run over was able to jam on the vehicle’s brake just before it struck a tree, according to authorities.

The officer was conducting a routine traffic stop on a Chevy Trailblazer Friday morning and as he was speaking to the driver with the man’s door open, the lone occupant made a sudden movement, police said.

“The driver lunged over to the passenger seat, and the officer reached in to see if he was grabbing a gun,” said Waukegan police Cmdr. Gabe Guzman.

Jason Stackhouse, 30, of Waukegan, then put the SUV in drive.

“The door jam caught the officer, so he jumped in there because he was afraid he was going to get dragged otherwise,” Guzman said.

Stackhouse drove “a few house lengths down” before the officer was able to wrestle the vehicle to a stop, Guzman said.

“The officer was pushing him back with his elbow to get him back and get the car stopped,” Guzman said. “They were heading right for a tree and the car stopped right before.”

Police arrested Stackhouse, and during an interview, learned he had a controlled substance at his home. A search, with Stackhouse’s consent, revealed 3.3 grams of crack cocaine, which Stackhouse admitted was his, according to police.

Stackhouse was charged with aggravated battery to a police officer, fleeing and eluding, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, and possession of a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a school, according to police.

Stackhouse is being held at the Lake County jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.