What began as an early morning ‘SWAT’ Operation in Shelby County took a deadly turn Wednesday, ending in a violent wreck in the woods just outside of Pana, Illinois.
Around 6:15 a.m. on July 29th, Illinois State Police ‘SWAT’ operators were in the middle of executing a search warrant at a home along County Highway 12 in nearby Tower Hill. During the operation, officers spotted a suspicious vehicle parked further down the road, believing it was connected to their target residence. That’s when things escalated quickly…
When a Christian County Sheriff’s Deputy moved in to investigate the vehicle, the driver slammed on the gas and sped away. The deputy initiated a pursuit, but quickly ended the chase as the fleeing vehicle reached dangerous speeds.
Minutes later, following the general direction the suspects had fled, that same CCSO Deputy came upon the scene of a deadly crash in the 200 block of North 2600 East Road in Pana. The vehicle had veered off the road and plowed deep into a wooded area.
The impact ejected the male driver from the car; emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene. A female passenger survived the crash and was sent to a nearby hospital for treatment of her injuries. Authorities have not yet released the identities of either individual.
Because the fatality followed a police interaction and short pursuit, the Illinois State Police Division of Internal Investigation or “DII” has stepped in to the investigation, following state protocol for officer-involved incidents. Special agents are gathering physical evidence, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing the timeline. At this time, the investigation remains ongoing. We will work to get more information as it continues to roll in!
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