Aurora Man Fled Cops At 123 MPH, Hit Squad Car: Naperville Police

NAPERVILLE, IL — An Aurora man faces two felonies and multiple misdemeanors after police say he fled a traffic stop in Naperville at speeds of up to 123 mph and crashed into a squad car.

Mitchell Simmons, 31, of the 400 block of Watson Street, was charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer and aggravated assault on an officer in connection with the July 25 incident.

Police were near the Extended Stay America Hotel when they say they found Simmons parked in a handicapped parking spot. Police say he was in the driver's seat with his "eyes closed and his pants around his ankles," per a news release.

According to police, Simmons refused to comply when officers asked for his driver's license and proof of insurance. Simmons is accused of refusing to get out of his car and reversing his car. Police say an officer had to jump away to avoid getting hit by Simmons's car, which struck a Naperville police squad car.

Simmons is accused of fleeing down Diehl Road, Route 59 and I-88, accelerating as fast as 123 mph. He is accused of speeding over 100 mph in a construction zone once he got onto I-290.

Hinsdale police used spike strips, which popped one of Simmons's tires, but he continued to flee into Oak Brook, where police disabled another tire. Police say Simmons got off on 25th Street and eventually crashed into a chain link fence before getting out and fleeing on foot and then being taken into custody.

“The allegation that Mr. Simmons crashed his vehicle into a squad car, nearly striking an officer, and then led police on a high-speed chase in excess of 100 m.p.h., at one point through a construction zone, are outrageous,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a news release.

He added, “Mr. Simmons’ alleged actions demonstrate a complete disregard for public safety and the rule of law, which will not be tolerated in DuPage County. Thankfully, no innocent motorists were injured or worse as a result of Mr. Simmons’ alleged actions. As I have said numerous times in the past, fleeing from the police will only make matters worse for you."

Simmons is being held in DuPage County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 19.