A Palos Hills man faces numerous charges after he allegedly drove a stolen car the wrong way on Milwaukee Avenue in Lincolnshire, striking another car before trying to flee from authorities, police said.
Police charged Peter P. Mleczko, 36, of Palos Hills, with possession of a stolen car, aggravated fleeing and eluding, aggravated reckless driving and leaving the scene of an injury crash — all felonies, Lincolnshire police said in a news release.
Mleczko also was charged with two misdemeanors, including driving under the influence of drugs and leaving the scene of a property damage crash.
The incident started after a Lincolnshire officer at 9:18 p.m. Monday watched Mleczko exit a gas station on the northwest corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Route 22 and turn north onto Milwaukee Avenue, where a concrete median only allows for southbound turns, police said.
He continued north past the median and started driving into oncoming traffic, police said.
After the officer attempted to pull him over, Mleczko shifted to the proper driving lane but disobeyed a traffic light at Olde Half Day Road, proceeding to move north, police said.
Officers pursued him into nearby Vernon Hills, where he turned left on Corporate Woods Parkway and struck a car going south on Milwaukee Avenue, according to Lincolnshire police. The driver of the vehicle that was struck was taken to Highland Park Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
Mleczko then ditched his car and started to run away from officers, police said.
Police from departments in Libertyville and Vernon Hills joined Lincolnshire on a 90-minute search for Mleczko, who was found “near the scene of the crash hiding in a grassy area,” Lincolnshire police said in the release.
Mleczko also was transported to Lake Forest Hospital after being apprehended, police said.
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