113 MPH On Essington Road? Joliet Man May Lose His Chevy Silverado: Forfeiture Filing

JOLIET, IL — Thomas LaChance, a 36-year-old Joliet motorist who was driving 113 mph along Essington Road on Aug. 26, according to Joliet police reports, may now lose his Chevrolet Silverado 3500 to the Will County State's Attorney's Office under the state's civil forfeiture laws.

According to the complaint filed Tuesday at the courthouse, Joliet police officer Jorge Trujillo was running radar while parked at 901 Essington Road, the Solstice Senior Living facility. At 1:47 a.m., the officer determined that LaChance was driving 73 mph over the posted speed limit along Essington, which is 40 mph. Upon seeing the officer turn on his emergency sirens and flashing lights, LaChance applied the brakes and signaled right, however, he then accelerated and turned eastbound along Glenwood Avenue, according to the complaint.

The officer eventually turned off his sirens and flashing lights and followed the black-colored Chevrolet Silverado at a distance. The officer saw the Silverado turn onto Whiteside Drive and park at a house in the 300 block of Whiteside Drive.

According to prosecutors, LaChance was immediately detained, and the officer detected a strong smell of alcoholic beverages.

"Officer Trujillo observed Thomas LaChance being unable to maintain balance. Thomas LaChance advised he was sorry and that he was just trying to get home," court files show.

When the Joliet officer notified LaChance he was traveling 113 mph on Essington Road, LaChance replied, "I was probably doing double, not gonna lie, I was doing double that. I knew you were behind me. I'm 100 percent at fault,'" the forfeiture noted.

When LaChance refused to submit to field sobriety tests, Officer Trujillo put him under arrest for driving under the influence and his Chevy Silverado was towed. During a vehicle inventory, another Joliet officer found bottle caps from Corona Light Beer in the center console.

As for LaChance, Joliet police took him to the station and after a 20-minute observation period, LaChance refused to provide a breath sample. LaChance was issued citations for aggravated fleeing and eluding and DUI and he was released from custody on a notice to appear at Will County's Courthouse. He also faces traffic tickets for reckless driving and speeding more than 35 mph over the limit.

A hearing on the forfeiture complaint for the Joliet motorist has been set for Oct. 29.