PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Northbound Knoxville Avenue on War Memorial Drive was temporarily closed Wednesday due to a crash including a pedestrian, which all started with a stolen vehicle.
Wednesday morning, a vehicle was reported stolen. Later, the owner spotted her stolen vehicle, then began chasing after it. They called 911, and dispatch advised them to stop the chase, according to Cpt. Scott Cook with the Peoria Police Department.
The pair met up at the intersection of War Memorial and Knoxville, where the owner of the stolen vehicle eventually exited and was hit with her own stolen car. The suspect attempted to drive away but hit a light pole.
Cpt. Cook said the suspect ran from the scene on foot. There is no confirmation if the suspect had a gun at the time, according to Cook.
The owner of the vehicle is reportedly in the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Peoria Police Department, Peoria Heights Police Department, and Illinois State Police were on the scene where there appeared to be three cars damaged in the crash.
Cook said a member of the Peoria Park District Police saw the incident unfold just after 12:30 p.m. and PPD responded shortly after.
Peoria leaders are asking drivers to use an alternate route of travel to free up traffic.