Police Didn't 'Need Stop Sticks'; Deer Did the Job

A call about a possible drunken driver led to a police chase that ended with an assist by a deer early Saturday morning in Putnam County, according to Putnam County Sheriff's Office.

A call came in at 5:20 a.m. to the sheriff’s office that a car, traveling on ESK Street in Hennepin township was believed to be driven by an impaired driver. 

Deputy Tim Pyszka located the vehicle, and began following it as it turned on to 800 E. Street, the road leading to Illinois Power. 

After making the turn, the car struck a fence, almost struck Pyszka’s vehicle, and then returned to 800 E. Street where it began trying to elude the deputy by traveling on Power Plant Road and then returning to ESK Road. 

The car, driven by Michael S. Magana, 29, of Streator, struck a deer on ESK road, after which it the car unable to travel any farther. 

Magana was charged with improper lane usage, illegal transportation of alcohol, driving on a revoked license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to reduce speed to prevent an accident, failure to signal, disobeying a stop sign, fleeing and alluding a police officer, DUI, and DUI of .08 or more. 

A passenger in the vehicle, Manuel Baez, 22, of DePue, was charged with illegal transportation of alcohol.

Magana was released with a notice to appear.

Source: News Tribune