The Williamson County Sheriff’s Department has released more information on a Friday night high-speed motorcycle chase that traveled through four counties before ending in a crash in Sandoval.
Dennis Hanson of Carterville was taken into custody after the crash at Isle and Mulberry in Sandoval. He apparently escaped serious injury and was taken back to Williamson County by one of the deputies involved in the chase. He was taken into custody on a Williamson County warrant for aggravated fleeing and eluding following an earlier chase with a bond set at $50,000 and a Franklin County warrant for aggravated DUI with a bond set at $10,000. New charges in connection with the Friday chase are expected including possession of methamphetamine, fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, and resisting a peace officer among others.
The sheriff’s department reports the initial chase began by West Frankfort Police but lost contact with the cycle in northern Williamson County. At around 10:50 Friday night, deputies found the motorcycle in Pittsburg and fled at speeds of more than 100 miles per hour when deputies attempted to stop him. The chase then went up I-57 for 60 miles to Salem with speeds reaching 120 miles per hour. The chase went west on US 50 after Salem Police blocked the highway heading into town. The pursuit then went west through Odin before ending in Sandoval shortly before midnight Friday night.
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office said the pursuit went for roughly 100 miles with multiple patrol vehicles in pursuit. Sheriff Jeff Diederich issued a statement about the chase.
“This suspect began leading law enforcement on high-speed pursuits as far back as 2007 and has continued with increasing frequency, egregious severity, and without regard for public safety. As law enforcement professionals we are tasked with balancing the safety of the public and apprehending criminals which presents challenges when deciding to continue or terminate a pursuit. The residents of Williamson County should know this decision-making occurred in real-time and our community was better served by apprehending this suspect so we can take steps to prevent a future occurrence. I am thankful that no one was injured and that both the public and our law enforcement officers are safe. We will take the legal steps necessary to seize this motorcycle as it makes no sense to repetitiously pursue the same suspect, driving the same vehicle.”
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office is thanking other agencies who assisted in the pursuit. They include the Franklin Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Johnston City Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Salem Police Department, West Frankfort Police Department, Sandoval Police Department, and Williamson County State’s Attorney Ted Hampson.
If you have any information concerning this case, you are asked to contact the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office at 618.997.6541 or the Williamson County Crime Steppers at 800.414 TIPS (8477).
