Update from Cass County Sheriff’s Department on October 15, 2024 vehicle pursuit

Last Updated on October 17, 2024 by Cass County Communication Network

On Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, the Cass County Sheriff’s Department was engaged in a vehicle pursuit resulting in a crash.

At approximately 8:30 p.m., Cass County Sheriff Deputy Leoudy Ventura observed a passenger vehicle traveling west bound on US Highway 24, near the Dunkirk exchange, at a high rate of speed.

After turning around and attempting to catch up to the vehicle, later identified as a 2003 Black BMW, Deputy Ventura observed that the river, later identified as Aaron J. Koonce of Volo, Illinois, had turned off his lights and was continuing west bound on US 24 in the dark. Mr. Koonce eventually turned his lights back on at which time Deputy Ventura attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle.

After activating his emergency red and blue lights, Deputy Ventura advised that Mr. Koonce was failing to yield and that he was now in pursuit of the vechile. During this time it was reported that Mr. Koonce was driving recklessly in and out of traffic at high rates of speed. The pursuit continued westbound on US 24 from Cass County into White County, at which time the White County Sheriff’s Department was requested to assist.

Officer Edgar Estudillo with the Monticello Police Department was able to position himself ahead of the pursuit and successfully deployed stop sticks on Mr. Koonce’s vehicle, however, the pursuit continued westbound on US 24 towards Monticello, at which time officers and deputies with the Monticello PD and White County Sheriff’s Department took over and continued to pursue Mr. Koonce.

Deputy Ventura continued to follow the pursuit in the event other officers needed assistance and a short time later, Mr. Koonce lost control of his vehicle and struck another vehicle in the area of Washington and 6th Street in Monticello. Officers with the Monticello Police Department took Mr. Koonce into custody and he was transported to the Logansport Memorial Hospital with complaints of pain to his leg and teeth.

He was later medically cleared and transported to the Cass County Jail, where he was charged with resisting law enforcement with a motor vehicle, dealing in marijuana, possession of marijuana and reckless driving. Mr. Koonce is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

SOURCE: News release from Cass County Sheriff’s Department