Wild Ride — Deputy Clings to Fleeing SUV, Tumbles Off on Turn: Cops

JOLIET, IL — A Will County deputy took a wild ride on the running board of an SUV while the fleeing teen driver tried pushing him off, police said.

The deputy had responded to a complaint of domestic violence at a home on Dellwood Avenue Sunday night. While he was there, police said, 19-year-old Marissa Seals pulled up in a sport utility vehicle. Seals reportedly had an 8-year-old in the front seat and an open beer in the back.

Seals asked the deputy if he was “arresting her homie,” police said, and the deputy asked her for her driver’s license. Seals reportedly failed to respond and the deputy ordered her to get out of the vehicle.

Seals then drove at the deputy, police said, and to avoid getting run over, he jumped onto the SUV’s running board.

The deputy told Seals to stop the car, police said, but she kept on going and tried pushing the deputy off the running board.

Seals was driving down Brassel Street to where it dead-ends at Oak Avenue. She slowed to make a turn and the deputy tumbled off, police said, cutting his hand, elbow and knee, and injuring his collarbone. The deputy was taken to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox.

The sheriff’s department obtained a warrant for Seals’ arrest and tracked her down at a relative’s home on Midland Avenue in Joliet about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, police said. The warrant carried a $50,000 bond.

Seals was taken to the county jail. She was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.

Marissa Seals | image via Will County Sheriff's Department