Woman gets 4 years for low-speed chase, crashing into 4 vehicles
An Elmhurst woman pleaded guilty Friday to leading police on a low-speed chase last year — during which she crashed into four vehicles, including two squad cars — between Bensenville to Elk Grove Village.
Nicole Evans, 30, of the 400 block of East Vallette Street, pleaded guilty to aggravated fleeing and eluding and driving under the influence. Prosecutors in turn dropped charges of aggravated assault and criminal damage to government-supported property.
Judge Kathryn Creswell sentenced Evans to four years in prison, with credit for the nearly 10 months she has been in custody since her arrest.
Assistant State's Attorney Demetri Demopoulos said Bensenville police officers responded about 11 a.m. on Oct. 22, 2013, to a report of a possible drunken driver at York and Irving Park roads in Bensenville. The vehicle — a red 2007 PT Cruiser driven by Evans — was located about 20 minutes later. Officers tried to pull her over for turning without signaling.
Instead of stopping, Demopoulos said, Evans continued through a residential neighborhood and turned north on Route 83. Bensenville stopped pursuit on Route 83 but alerted nearby police to be on the lookout.
Evans ended up in Elk Grove Village, where she was pursued again, according to police. She drove back through Bensenville and parked at a McDonald's restaurant near Prospect Avenue and Irving Park in Itasca.
Officers tried to box in Evans' vehicle with a squad car, but she backed into it, drove over a median and crashed into a tree, police said.
During the chase, Demopoulos said, Evans crashed into four cars, including a Bensenville and Elk Grove Village police squad car.
One officer also cut his hand while breaking a window to get into Evans' car.
As part of her sentence, Evans was ordered to pay $2,063 in restitution to the Bensenville Police Department, $811 to the Elk Grove Village police and two $500 deductibles for the civilian cars she damaged.
Evans, whom prosecutors said is an alcoholic and heroin addict, also was ordered to receive drug counseling while incarcerated.