Man Led Police On Chase From Hobart To Chicago, Shot At Officers

MIDLOTHIAN, IL — A 38-year-old Indiana man is accused of shooting at police officers while leading them on a high-speed chase from Hobart to Chicago, authorities said.

Police said Nicholas Willoughby was in a black Dodge Journey at around 2 a.m. Saturday when a Hobart police officer took note of the car as it peeled out of a Speedway gas station on 61st Avenue. When the car sped away to the Interstate 65 ramp, the officer measured it going 81 mph in a 70 mph zone.

When police began to pursue Willoughby and signal for him to pull over, Willoughby continued to drive and ended up westbound on Interstate 80, getting up to 90 mph at certain points.

Police said the man kept opening the driver's side door during the chase and firing about seven shots at police cars behind him. One of the bullets struck the windshield of a squad car but did not injure anyone.

The chase ended when officials said Willoughby crashed his car at the corner of 143rd Street and Kedzie Avenue in Chicago. He was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center for treatment where he remained under police guard as of Feb. 9.

Prosecutors said the man is charged with one count of resisting law enforcement, unlawful possession of a firearm by a domestic batterer and reckless driving. Willoughby perviously pleaded guilty to domestic battery in July, court documents show.

After searching the man's car, police said they found an open beer, firearm magazines and live ammunition rounds. Willoughby was ordered to be held without bail on Saturday.