A driver in Romeoville captured the adrenaline-pumping chase that ensued after getting hit from behind, the driver refusing to stop.
Romeoville resident and Redditor /u/Helpful-Ear-5597 shared heart-pumping dashcam footage from earlier last month (Sept 23, 2024) to the /r/IdiotsInCars subreddit showing a driver suspected of driving under the influence rear-ending him and, when that driver refused to stop, /u/Helpful-Ear-5597 deciding to chase the hit-and-run driver down.
Although risky, his gamble paid off as he was able to help police pinpoint exactly where the hit-and-run driver was.
Check out his several-minute-long dashcam video below.
[OC] Lady rear ends me and makes an attempt to drive off.
byu/Helpful-Ear-5597 inIdiotsInCars
The initial accident happened at the intersection of Broadway St. and Renwick Rd (Exact location on Google Maps linked here.)
Thanks to GPS coordinates on the dashcam video, we can see the probable route of the chase that ensued (important points along the way mapped on Google Maps linked here.)
As his dashcam footage shows, he’s stopped on Broadway St. ready to turn left onto Renwick Rd when suddenly he’s hit from behind by a woman in a white Kia Sorento.
“She hit someone probably right before hitting me. The first indication was the car that was right next to me after she hit me. Seems like she was trying to get my attention.”
The woman in the Sorento decides to run and, in response, /u/Helpful-Ear-5597 gives chase.
The woman turns left onto Renwick Rd, stops within half a mile, and flips a U-turn, trying to shake OP.
OP doesn’t give up and follows this woman for several miles all the way into a neighborhood off Honeytree Dr.
The woman drives up to what OP believes is a random house and attempts to block the woman in.
At this point, OP calls 911.
The 911 operator can be heard advising OP not to give chase.
“OK, sir I don’t want you to attempt to do anything more…I need you to be fine…I need you to stop and don’t follow her.”
Despite that advice, OP follows the Sorento.
Thankfully, a police officer is in the area and OP is able to flag the officer down, pointing the officer towards the woman attempting to flee again.
Police pull the hit-and-run driver over along N Schmidt Rd across from the Jehovah’s Witness Temple.
We’re left with a parting shot of police giving the woman a field sobriety test before she’s arrested and placed in cuffs.
Although OP’s vehicle was damaged, the woman’s insurance seems to be working with OP to get it repaired and back on the road.
“Bumper got pushed in. Plastic trim has been dented in. Auto body shop quoted 1k so far.”
OP does comment that, in hindsight, it probably would’ve been safer not to chase after her.
“So the reason why I shouldn’t chase is because of the issue of risking another accident. If the driver was drunk and having them drive more recklessly to get away from me. I am risking myself into now hitting her if she ever wants to brake check me and such.”
It worked out for OP in this situation but the best practice is to let the police handle the chasing.
“Never chase a driver who leaves an accident scene because it can be dangerous and lead to more problems like additional accidents or legal issues.”
You should, however, get yourself a dashcam like OP so, in the unlikely event you get into an accident, you can prove you’re not at fault.
First-time DUI offenders in Illinois are subject to getting their license revoked for at least a year, facing possible jail time, a fine up to $2,500 and community service.
