Los Angeles Man Arrested on Drug Charges After 115-Mile Pursuit

(WILLIAMSON COUNTY DEPUTIES POSE WITH THE DRUGS SEIZED IN TUESDAY NIGHT'S INCIDENT)

A man led authorities on a chase of 115 miles from near Marion to Effingham, resulting in his arrest on major drug charges.

Dejon D. Wooden of Los Angeles, California was being held following the Tuesday night incident.

Deputies with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office observed a vehicle commit violations of the Illinois Vehicle Code shortly after 9pm. Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle and it failed to yield continuing to travel northbound on Interstate 57 from mile post 60. Williamson County Deputies continued the pursuit traveling northbound on Interstate 57 during which time the suspect passed multiple semi tractor trailers in the emergency lane, attempted to run Deputies off the roadway, and traveled at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour.

After traveling 115 miles to Effingham, Williamson County Deputies terminated the pursuit by successfully performing a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver. The maneuver resulted in the disabling of the vehicle and the apprehension of Wooden.

Deputies recovered 80.3 pounds of Cannabis and 760 ounces of Promethazine, a schedule 2 narcotic, from the vehicle. The street value of these drugs is estimated to be in excess of $250,000.

Wooden was cited for the following: Cannabis Trafficking, (Class X Felony) Possession with Intent to Deliver Cannabis (Class X Felony) Controlled Substance Trafficking (Class 2 Felony) Aggravated Assault (Class 4 Felony) Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding (Class 4 Felony) Reckless Driving (Class A misdemeanor) Speeding 35+ (Class A misdemeanor) Driving on Shoulder Disobeying Stop Sign Improper Lane Usage Wooden was transported to and remanded into the custody of the Williamson County Jail.

"The Williamson County Sheriff's Office and it's Deputies are committed to disrupting criminal activity. Drug interdiction is only one example of the steps we take every day to ensure public safety", stated Sheriff Jeff Diederich.

The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, Effingham Police Department, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Mt. Vernon Police Department for their assistance.