MARION – Two people were cited on multiple charges after Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies saw the pair committing several traffic violations in what they said was a stolen vehicle that led to a pursuit and injuries to motorists and officers just before 2 Tuesday afternoon on Illinois 13 east of Marion.
According to the Williamson County Sheriff’s office, the driver, Michael T. Wadley, was issued citations for Possession of Stolen Vehicle (Class X Felony), Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding (Class 4 Felony), Aggravated Reckless Driving (Class 4 Felony), Reckless Conduct (Class 4 Felony), Possession of Methamphetamine (Class 3 Felony), Criminal Damage to State Supported Property > $10K (Class 2 Felony), Theft $500 < $10K (Class 3 Felony), Driving While License Suspended (Class A Misdemeanor), Aggravated Speeding (Class A Misdemeanor), Possession of Adult Use Cannabis in a Motor Vehicle (Class A Misdemeanor), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Class A Misdemeanor), Speeding- School Zone (70 mph in a 20 mph speed zone – Class A Misdemeanor), No Valid Driver’s License (Class A Misdemeanor), Disobeying Stop Sign (x8), and Improper Lane Usage.
Wadley’s passenger, Hailey J. Poppen, was cited for Possession of Methamphetamine (Class 3 Felony) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Class A Misdemeanor)
Wadley and Poppen were taken to and remanded into the custody of the Williamson County Jail.
According to the sheriff’s office, the vehicle the pair were in was known to deputies to be the same vehicle that had fled from law enforcement a week earlier.
Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle and it fled committing dozens of traffic violations, ignoring traffic control devices, and operating the vehicle in a reckless and wanton manner.
Multiple law enforcement agencies were mobilized to assist deputies however, Wadley’s vehicle fled through Marion and continued south on Market Street toward Lake of Egypt at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour.
While traveling southbound near Ollis Road, deputies observed Wadley discard multiple items, believed to be contraband, out of the driver’s side window.
Upon reaching Lake of Egypt Road, the vehicle turned westbound. While crossing the spillway, Wadley and Poppen again began discarding suspected contraband from the driver’s side window.
Several of these items were later recovered and discovered to be digital scales commonly used in the manufacturing and distribution of illegal narcotics.
The vehicle was observed making multiple traffic violations and weaving in and out of the oncoming lane. Multiple vehicles had to take evasive action to avoid collision.
As the suspect vehicle arrived at the intersection of Illinois 37 and Illinois 148, deputies deployed stop sticks across the roadway. The suspect vehicle took evasive action and avoided the spike strips.
The vehicle turned northbound on Illinois Route 148 and continued at a high rate of speed. The suspect vehicle then made an unexpected turn and entered the southbound Interstate 57 exit ramp traveling head on into oncoming traffic. As the vehicle traveled around the curve of the off ramp, it swerved right to avoid an oncoming vehicle. The oncoming passenger car responded by swerving to avoid an accident, departed the roadway, and struck a patrol vehicle.
The suspect vehicle continued down the exit ramp attempting to gain entry head on into heavy oncoming interstate traffic – Thanksgiving Holiday and 5 o’clock traffic flows were present.
A second deputy responded by performing a precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver causing the suspect vehicle to spin around and subsequently experience a roll over crash coming to rest on the shoulder of the roadway. This action averted the suspect vehicle from entering the interstate “head on” into dense bumper to bumper traffic.
Wadley and Poppen were both removed from the vehicle, handcuffed, and placed in the rear of a patrol car. They were cited and taken to jail.
EMS was summoned to the scene as deputies worked to stabilize injuries sustained by victims. Multiple victims along with two deputies were transported to the area hospitals.
Wadley was discovered to have a suspended driver’s license and outstanding arrest warrants for Burglary and Possession of Methamphetamine.
Deputies recovered methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and the stock of a shotgun from the suspect vehicle.
Wadley has an extensive criminal history and multiple pending felony cases in Williamson County. As a result of prior convictions, some of these offenses are now eligible for enhanced sentencing.
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office is leading the criminal investigation into this matter, but has requested the assistance of the Illinois State Police in handling the traffic accident.
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Illinois State Police, Lake of Egypt Fire Department, Marion Police Department, United Ambulance, and Williamson County State’s Attorney Ted Hampson for their assistance.
