Driver killed after fleeing police during traffic stop

An Aurora man was killed Monday after crashing his vehicle nearly head-on into a ComEd truck while attempting to avoid a routine traffic stop.

The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office said a deputy attempted a traffic stop in the area of Route 47 and Route 113 at approximately 12:35 p.m. on Monday, April 10.

The offending vehicle, a Dodge Durango being driven by James L. Pheal, 44 of Aurora, turned east on Route 113 and just east of Higgins

Road attempted to pass another vehicle when it struck a westbound utility truck owned by ComEd.

Grundy County Coroner John Callahan said after the collision the Durango rolled several times before coming to rest on its side in the south ditch about one quarter mile west of Campbell Road.

Police were immediately on the scene and the Coal City Fire Protection District was dispatched to the crash at 12:38 p.m. A medical helicopter was requested, but was called off and the coroner sent to the scene where they pronounced Pheal deceased.

The driver of the ComEd truck was transported to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

A power line was taken down as a result of the crash and the utility was called in as well.

Route 113 between Higgins and Campbell roads was shut down for several hours for investigation and cleanup

The crash remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police and Grundy County Coroner’s Office.