2 arrested after police chase through Danville, Champaign, Urbana

DANVILLE, Ill. (WAND) - Two people were arrested following a police chase that started in Danville and ended in Urbana Wednesday.

Around 6:19 p.m., Danville Police tried to stop a vehicle in the area of Williams St. and Hazel St. for an equipment violation and the registered owner having a suspended driver's license.

Police said the driver of the vehicle would not stop and started to lead officers on a chase. They said the driver stopped briefly in the area of Williams St and Jackson St where the front seat passenger jumped out and took off running.

Officers chased the passenger on foot and took him into custody in the 100 block of Cherry St. The passenger was identified as 19-year-old Keyshun T. Williams of Champaign. Officers searched the area Williams had been running and found a loaded handgun.

After Williams ran from the vehicle, the driver continued to lead officers on a chase. The suspect vehicle made its way through several streets in Danville and left city limits, going westbound on Interstate 74 (I-74). The Vermilion County Sheriff’s Department helped DPD officers, and the chase continued on I-74 into Champaign County and entered into Urbana via University Ave.

The suspect vehicle drove through several streets in both Urbana and Champaign before ultimately going back into Urbana where the vehicle came to a stop in the 1500 block of Cunningham Ave.

The driver got out and took off running. Officers caught the driver after a short chase. The driver was identified as 21-year-old Taqwaun Pye of Urbana. At the time of his arrest, officers said Pye was in possession of a backpack that contained several rounds of live ammunition and suspected methamphetamine and cannabis.

Williams was booked on preliminary charges of aggravated UUW, resisting and obstructing a police officer, possession of a firearm no FOID as well as an outstanding Vermilion County arrest warrant for a traffic offense.

Pye was booked on preliminary charges of aggravated fleeing and eluding, aggravated assault, resisting and obstructing a police officer, driving with a suspended license, possession of ammunition no FOID, and possession of controlled substance. No injuries were reported during this incident.

Members of the public are reminded that a complaint is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.