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No pre-trial release for driver in Streator police pursuit · Illinois Valley - Shaw Local

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  No pretrial release for driver and streeter police pursuit. Written by Tom
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  Collins. This article is being read by an automated voice brought to
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  you by Everlit. The car blew through more than six stop signs
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  in Streeter. The driver rear ended another car, ripping off the victim's
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  bumper, and didn't stop. When police finally halted the driver, they found
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  a bag of cocaine in his shoe. Dorian C. James, fifty of
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  Chicago, will stay in LaSalle County jail while awaiting trial for three
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  felonies, led by unlawful possession of a controlled substance. He faces up
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  to fifteen years if convicted. LaSalle County prosecutors also filed charges of
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  aggravated fleeing and eluding 2-5 years and driving while revoked 1-3 years
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  following a Thursday night police pursuit. A full report is pending, but
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  newly filed court records suggest a high-speed pursuit in which James struck
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  another vehicle and drove through a yard. Court records further showed James
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  has two prior convictions for driving while revoked, both for DUI convictions.
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  James appeared Friday in LaSalle County Circuit Court in hopes of getting
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  a judge to grant him pretrial release. James lawyer argued the volume
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  of drugs wasn't excessive and that the potential for sale and distribution
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  was a bit overstated. We did have a car chase, allegedly, But
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  there was a minor accident with no injuries or anything of that
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  nature, public defender Ryan Hamer said. James indicated he intent to seek
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  private counsel. But Laura Hall, Chief Deputy Assistant State's attorney, said the
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  weight of the cocaine was about three grams and the cocaine was
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  recovered in baggies, indicating intent to deliver. Hall said.
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  Her greatest concern, though, was the potential for harm during the pursuit.
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  There is a risk to every other driver on the roadway, anyone
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  walking a dog or driving a bike, Hall said. Judge James A.
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  Andreone agreed detention was warranted when considering the willful flight from three
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  squad cars and most important in the court's mind that he struck
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  another vehicle. He has no business driving a vehicle, period, Andreone ruled,
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  let alone fleeing from police in this manner.