Pre-trial release denied for Oak Park man accused of leading suburban officers on 130 mph chase

OAK BROOK, Ill. (WGN) — Pre-trial release has been denied for an Oak Park man accused of leading authorities on a high-speed chase along I-290 in DuPage County.

24-year-old Bryant Allen has been charged with one felony count of aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer as well as multiple misdemeanors and petty traffic offenses, including reckless driving and improper lane usage, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced Wednesday.

Allen’s charges stem from his alleged involvement in a high-speed chase that began in Oak Brook on Tuesday.

Prosecutors said it all began when Oak Brook officers were notified about two suspicious vehicles, a Dodge Charger and an Infiniti, that had allegedly run a red light while heading East along Butterfield Road from West 22nd Street.

Officers caught up with the vehicles, near the eastbound ramp off Butterfield Road to Roosevelt Road and activated their lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the vehicles, but prosecutors said the Charger, which was allegedly being driven by Allen, sped off, while the Infinity slowed down.

Officers began a pursuit of the Charger as it headed eastbound along Roosevelt Road and during the chase, prosecutors said Allen allegedly reached speeds of approximately 130MPH near Roosevelt Road and York Street.

According to prosecutors, after Allen allegedly got onto I-290 from Roosevelt Road, offers deactivated their lights and sirens, but continued to pursue him from a distance, utilizing CPD’s helicopter.

The chase eventually came to an end near I-290 and Harlem Avenue when Allen allegedly drove into the right shoulder of the road in an effort to avoid police but struck a spike strip that had been deployed by Forest Park officers.

After his car was disabled, officers took Allen into custody.

“The allegations that Mr. Allen sped down Roosevelt Road, one of the busiest roads in the County, at 130 mph are outrageous,” Berlin said. “Mr. Allen’s alleged actions endangered not only his life, but also the lives of the officers involved and countless innocent motorists and pedestrians. We are all very grateful that no one was injured, or worse, in this incident. The safe apprehension of the defendant in this case sends a crystal-clear message that in DuPage County if you flee from the police, we will use every resource available to us, including the use of a helicopter as in this case, to ensure you are arrested, charged and prosecuted.”

Allen appeared in court on Wednesday, where Judge Joshua Dieden granted the state’s motion to detain him pre-trial. He is set to return to court on May 27.