A 46-year-old Salem man was charged with a total of 20 criminal and traffic offenses in Marion County Court on Friday after leading Marion County Sheriff’s Deputies and Salem Police on a lengthy high-speed chase on the north side of Salem Thursday afternoon.
John Zawec of Salem Mobile Home Park allegedly fled a sheriff’s deputy when he attempted to stop him on West Boone near Airport Road. The chase went east on Boone Street to Charleston Road, north on Charleston to Hardacre and then south on North Broadway. It ended when Zawec drove into a ditch near the Marion County Farm Bureau building and unsuccessfully attempted to flee on foot.
Zawec was charged with felony counts of aggravated fleeing more than 21 miles per hour over the speed limit and possession of a controlled substance. He was also charged with resisting arrest, no insurance, traveling more than 35 miles per hour over the speed limit, and multiple other counts, including several for disobeying traffic control devices.
Zawec was first investigated as driving a suspicious vehicle in the Odin area.
In addition to the new charges, Zawec is also being held on an outstanding St. Clair County burglary warrant.
During Friday’s court hearing, probable cause was found to hold Zawec on the charges and a public defender was appointed to represent him.