Romeoville Teen Faces Weapons Charge After Crash: Cops

PLAINFIELD, IL — A Romeoville teen faces a weapons after a Friday evening crash near 135th Street and Meadow Lane. Max W. Winkelmann, 19, of the 100 block of Cherrywood Court, was arrested after a two-vehicle crash just after 6:15 p.m. Nov. 16.

Plainfield Police Department Sgt. Mike Fisher said an officer was dispatched to the scene after the crash to find two vehicles with heavy damage. Winkelmann's car, according to police, had struck another vehicle before crashing into a tree.

An officer arrived at the scene to find Winkelmann out of his car and witnesses urging him to sit down. Fisher said the officer also spotted a large knife on the ground near Winkelmann's feet, which she confiscated, asking him if he had any other weapons.

Fisher said Winkelmann answered yes, and produced a pair of brass knuckles with a hidden switchblade from his pocket.

Winkelmann also said a passenger had been in his vehicle at the time of the crash but had left the scene. Fisher said police later located the passenger, who was not charged.

Witnesses told police Winkelmann's vehicle struck another car before Winkelmann fled, lost control and crashed into a tree. Winkelmann claimed he had simply been looking for a parking spot further down the road when he hit the tree, Fisher said.

The driver of the other vehicle refused treatment at the scene. Fisher said paramedics arrived at the scene to check Winkelmann out, but he too declined treatment.

Winkelmann was charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, failure to yield and an intersection, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving an uninsured vehicle and unlawful use of a weapon.

Plainfield police reports indicate Winkelmann was released on an I-Bond following the crash.

Booking photo of Max Winkelmann from a March 2018 arrest/Will County Sheriff's Office