On August 9, 2022, at approximately 7:19 p.m. a McDonough County Deputy witnessed a tan Buick Lesabre travelling westbound at approximately 100 miles per hour on Bellingham Road in rural Bethel Township. The McDonough County Deputy attempted to make a traffic stop and the vehicle failed to yield. The vehicle crashed at the intersection of East 800th and Bellingham Road.
The driver of the vehicle, James K. Johnson, 65, of Camden, IL, was taken into custody by the Deputy. The vehicle caught fire after it had crashed into a barn, and Colchester Fire arrived on scene to extinguish the flames. Johnson was treated by Colchester Fire on scene and was not injured. The vehicle was a total loss.
Johnson was charged with Speeding, Aggravated Driving Revoked, Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding, Driving under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs, Possession of Methamphetamine 5-15 grams, and Operating a Vehicle without Insurance.
Johnson is being lodged in the McDonough County Jail on $300,000.00 with 10% to apply.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
***Courtesy of the McDonough County Sheriff’s Department***
