State Police say a 36-year-old Granite City man died when a car in which he was a passenger swerved into a tree when trying to avoid spike strips set out by police trying to stop the vehicle.
The crash occurred on Illinois Route 111 in Madison County as the car was being pursued by Pontoon Beach Police.
Preliminary investigative details from State Police indicate the driver, 31-year-old John Shea of Granite City, left the roadway when swerving to avoid the spike strips and hit the tree. Shea then allegedly fled on foot but was taken into custody a short time later when he was transported by ambulance to a regional hospital with serious injuries.
The front seat passenger was ejected from the vehicle and was transported to a regional hospital where he died from his injuries. His name has not been released.
The rear seat passenger, 21-year-old Aryian Abney of Granite City, was transported to a regional hospital for apparent minor injuries.
Illinois Route 111 was closed for approximately seven hours. The investigation is continuing.
The crash occurred at 12:19 Sunday morning.
