Crime & Safety
$500,000 Bail Set For ‘Dangerous Fugitive' Following Antioch Crash
Raymond Underwood, 29, is accused of driving erratically at speeds between 70 to 100 mph prior to the head-on crash earlier this month.
A “dangerous fugitive,” who had been traveling up to 100 mph erratically in a stolen vehicle before causing a head-on crash in Antioch, was ordered held on a $500,000 bond.
Village of Antioch Communication Specialist Jim Moran said a 2017 silver Chevy Malibu was reported stolen on December 3. The Antioch Police Department, along with several neighboring police departments, had been tracking the stolen vehicle in Lake and Kenosha counties throughout that morning.
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The car was reported to be driving erratically and at speeds of 70 to 100 miles per hour, despite police never pursuing it. The Chevrolet passed an Antioch police car while the squad was parked on the side of Route 173 around 11 a.m. December 3.
The stolen vehicle was traveling westbound at an excessive rate of speed and already passing vehicles on the right, Moran said.
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The Antioch police officer attempted to catch up to the Chevrolet in order to initiate a traffic stop.
Moran said that — before the police could catch up — the Chevrolet crossed the centerline on Route 173 west of Tiffany road and struck a 2022 Volvo SUV.
The driver of the Volvo, a 43-year-old Skokie man, was transported to an area hospital and released the same day.
The driver of the stolen Chevy Malibu, identified as Raymond Underwood, 29, of Salem, Wisconsin, was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Following the crash, investigators discovered Underwood had two active warrants out for his arrest from McHenry County.
Underwood admitted to first responders that he had used cocaine earlier that morning.
He was charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle, felony theft, three counts of aggravated fleeing to elude, driving on a revoked driver’s license and driving under the influence of drugs. Further charges are possible.
Antioch Police Chief Geoffrey Guttschow said he was happy that a wanted and dangerous criminal was in police custody.
“I am thankful that this fugitive who displayed a disregard for the life and safety of others, is off the streets,” Guttschow said.
“His actions could have caused a deadly consequence. He will be prosecuted to the fullest extent that the law allows,” Guttschow said.
Underwood was released from the hospital days later and transported to the Lake County Jail.
He appeared in bond court where a judge set bond at $500,000, court records show.
Underwood remains held in the jail and would need to post $50,000 cash in order to be released.
Lake and McHenry County Scanner is a local breaking news website covering issues that matter such as shootings, stabbings, house fires, kidnappings, car accidents, and more around Lake County and McHenry County.
