Carol Stream Man Drove Drunk, Led Cops On High-Speed Chase: Police

WHEATON, IL — A 43-year-old Carol Stream man faces multiple felony charges after police said he was driving under the influence of alcohol and then led police on a high-speed chase that resulted in him colliding with another vehicle and sending a woman to the hospital.

Alvin Thompson, Jr. is being held on $2 million bond after he was arrested Sunday night after Carol Stream Police responded to the report of a man threatening a person with a gun. The person who called the police said that the man took off in a Mercedes C300. Police located the vehicle and attempted to stop it, but instead, the driver —identified as Thompson — sped off and reached speeds in excess of 75 mph., police said.

Police said that Thompson fled from officers on West Elk Trail, drove through a parking lot, and then back onto Elk Trail. Police said that Thompson drove through a red light at West Elk Trail and Gary Avenue and collided with a vehicle occupied by a man and woman traveling south on Gary Avenue.

Police said that Thompson jumped out of his car and fled on foot. Officers ran after Thompson and took him into custody. A 27-year-old woman, who was a passenger in the vehicle that police said was struck by Thompson's Mercedes, was taken to a nearby hospital for her injuries. Police said they found a loaded handgun loaded on the dash by the driver’s side of Thompson’s vehicle.

Officers said they smelled a strong odor of alcohol on Thompson’s breath and observed his eyes were glassy.

Thompson is charged with two counts of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol (Class 2 felony), three counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding (Class 4 felony), one count of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon (Class 3 felony), one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon (Class 4 felony) and multiple misdemeanors and petty traffic offenses including resisting arrest.

“The allegations that Mr. Thompson fled police at a high rate of speed in a residential neighborhood while under the influence of alcohol and armed with a loaded gun he was not legally authorized to possess, are extremely aggravating. Unfortunately, as a result of Mr. Thompson’s alleged actions, an innocent motorist minding her own business was seriously injured,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said. “I have said this quite often over the past few months, but it bears repeating - if you hear sirens and see flashing lights behind you, pull over. Not doing so will only make matters worse.”

Thompson’s next court appearance is scheduled for August 30 for arraignment.