While the Kewanee Police were conducting surveillance on a residence in the 100 block of Payson Street as part of an effort to locate a suspect from an incident earlier in the day, on the evening of December 31st, officers observed a vehicle leaving the residence. They attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle. The driver fled from officers, committing multiple traffic violations while attempting to evade law enforcement.
The pursuit concluded when the vehicle crashed in a wooded area in the 700 block of South West Street. The driver was identified as 26-year-old Luke Washburn, who faces charges including aggravated fleeing and operating a vehicle with a revoked license. The driver and passenger were extracted from the vehicle by the Kewanee Fire Department and transported to OSF St. Luke Medical Center in Kewanee. Washburn was later transferred to OSF St. Francis in Peoria.
Luke Washburn, who is currently on parole from the Illinois Department of Corrections, has been issued numerous citations, including Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding, Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Revoked License, Reckless Driving, and multiple traffic violations. A First Appearance is scheduled for February 3, 2025, at the Henry County Courthouse.