CARTERVILLE – Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies stopped a runaway vehicle early Monday morning near Carterville.
According to the sheriff’s office, just after 2 a.m., the driver of the vehicle called 911 saying their vehicle would not stop.
Deputies caught up to the vehicle traveling west on Old Illinois 13 at Division Street. The vehicle’s brake lights were on, but it wasn’t slowing down and continued traveling at 30 mph. Deputies determined that the vehicle was unsafe to continue and a rolling road block was conducted.
The maneuver was performed by passing the vehicle, positioning in front of it, and then slowly decelerating until the front bumper gently contacted the rear bumper of the patrol vehicle. The patrol vehicle used its brakes to bring both vehicles to a complete stop about a quarter mile before reaching Crab Orchard Lake.
Sheriff Jeff Diederich said had the deputy not been on scene or delayed performing this maneuver, the driver and vehicle would have likely gone into the water upon reaching the lake.
EMS responded to the scene out of an abundance of caution as the driver stated she was pregnant.
The patrol vehicle wasn’t damaged. The runaway vehicle suffered only minor damage.
