MONROE — An Illinois woman is facing felony charges, including first-degree recklessly endangering safety, after allegedly leading cops on a high-speed chase last spring through town and into the county.
That chase, topping out at about 80 mph at one point, was ultimately suspended by police for safety. But as is often the case, cops caught up with the alleged driver — and a passenger and now co-defendant — not long after. Now the pair stand charged with felony fleeing and eluding and first-degree recklessly endangering safety in Green County Circuit Court.
Julia Marshall, of Girard, Illinois, south of Springfield, also was charged with a single count of misdemeanor obstructing an officer. Passenger Hunter S. Santoro, 22, of Monroe, also faces charges of felony vehicle operator flee/elude officer, first-degree recklessly endangering safety; and misdemeanor resisting or obstructing an officer, records indicate.
During an initial appearance Monday before Circuit Judge Jane Bucher, Marshall, the alleged driver, was issued a $5,000 signature bond and ordered to have no contact with the co-defendant in the case.
According to the criminal complaint — city cops tried to pull over a Dodge Durango at about noon on May 5 that was associated with Santoro, a Monroe man with an active Wisconsin Dept. Of Corrections warrant. But the driver of the car, alleged to have been Marshall, fled from the attempted stop.
“While trying to catch up to the vehicle, I observed the vehicle cross 13th street and began to accelerate at high rate of speed,” said one officer in the criminal complaint.
The chase then continued around Monroe streets. At one point, a passenger in the Durango began throwing objects out of the window.
“While on Jeffrey Road, my squad’s speed was approximately 64 MPH,” said the pursuing officer. “As the vehicle continued southbound on Jeffrey Road, I observed the front right passenger lean out and throw a gallon bucket of paint out the window, in the direction of my squad.”
The driver also nearly took out a man mowing his lawn, according to the complaint.
“While on Haddinger Road, I observed the vehicle at high speeds, pass by a citizen on a riding lawn mower who was partially in the road,” the cop said. “The vehicle drove past the mower at a high rate of speed and swerved into the oncoming traffic lane, almost striking and hitting the mower.”
The pursuit of nearly eight fast miles was then called off by a sergeant and the Durango disappeared into Stephenson County, Illinois. But after an investigation — using social media, and other sources — police were able to identify the driver as Marshall; and to also charge Santoro, the man they originally sought on warrants. Pictures also had been identified of the fleeing car’s speedometer during the chase that allegedly had been posted by the suspects — reportedly boasting about the chase — on an open social media account.
A felony bench warrant has been issued for Santoro in the case. A preliminary hearing for Marshall was set for September 15.
