Child, 12, Hit By Car Fleeing From Joliet Police Officers: JPD

JOLIET, IL — A 23-year-old accused of dealing cocaine, Jorge Martinez, is now in the Will County Jail facing numerous criminal charges after Joliet police say he sped away from a traffic stop and crashed into a fence and a 12-year-old boy earlier this week.

The 12-year-old boy was taken to Silver Cross Hospital by the Joliet Fire Department with non-life-threatening injuries. No other injuries were reported from the crash.

Joliet police say Martinez is being jailed for charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance, reckless driving, obstructing a peace officer, driving while license revoked and for having an arrest warrant for fleeing and eluding the police.

Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English said this week's arrest of Martinez has been in the works for five months.

Back on Nov. 1, 2023, at 6:38 p.m., Joliet police tried to conduct a traffic stop on a Hyundai Sonata near Parks Avenue and Dover Street for disobeying a stop sign and equipment violations. Martinez refused to stop and fled at a high rate of speed. The officers did not pursue the car at that time, and they obtained an arrest warrant for Martinez on charges of fleeing them.

This week, at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Joliet police saw a Hyundai Tucson disregard a red light while southbound on Henderson Avenue at Washington Street. The Tucson continued eastbound on East Washington Street at a high rate of speed. Officers activated their emergency lights and tried to catch up.

As the Tucson approached East Washington Street and Court Street, Martinez tried to pass a Toyota Corolla while it was also eastbound on East Washington Street. The Tucson collided in the rear passenger side of the Corolla and then veered across Court Street and off the roadway, striking a 12-year-old boy standing in a grassy area on the southeast side of the intersection.

The Tucson came to rest after striking a residential fence. Officers recognized Martinez as the driver as he ran from the car, but was eventually placed into custody.

Officers saw cocaine and prescription pills inside Martinez’s vehicle. Martinez also received citations for disobeying a traffic control device, improper lane usage, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, leaving the scene of an accident and operating an uninsured vehicle.

As for Martinez, he comes from the 600 block of Jerome Avenue. He remains in custody.