On February 13, 2023 Warren County Deputies were alerted to a police pursuit that originated in West Burlington, IA, that entered Warren County. Deputies responded to IL Rt 164 west of Monmouth where they encountered the pursuit in progress, going east towards Monmouth. Deputies turned to follow the pursuit but were not actively engaged. The vehicle being pursued failed to stop or yield when entering the intersection of US 67/US 34 and IL Rt 164. The vehicle struck a southbound semi tractor-trailer. The vehicle being pursued caught on fire.
Warren County Deputies arrived on scene and deployed fire extinguishers to battle the flames. They were joined by Monmouth Police Officers who also deployed fire extinguishers. The driver was pulled from the vehicle by Deputies and Officers before it was fully engulfed. The driver was taken by GHAS Ambulance to OSF Monmouth and subsequently flown to OSF in Peoria. One Warren County Deputy was treated and released at OSF in Monmouth for burns, minor physical injury, and smoke inhalation. The fire was subdued by the Monmouth Fire Department.
The driver of the vehicle being pursued was identified a 41 year old Derrick Smith of Burlington, IA. The crash was investigated by the Illinois State Police.
***Courtesy of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office***
