Two women shot before police chase and crash ensued

BEACH PARK, IL – A high-speed chase through four towns in Lake County unfolded early Friday, leaving two women injured and resulting in two arrests. The chaotic sequence of events began around 2 a.m. when gunfire erupted, sending the women to the hospital and setting off a pursuit that would end only after a dramatic crash.

Authorities responded to a shooting incident near Bonnie Brook Lane and North Green Bay Road, where two women were found with gunshot wounds. They were reportedly on their way home from a bar in North Chicago when a Dodge Charger pulled alongside their vehicle, unleashing a spray of bullets. One woman was struck in the eye, and the other in the leg. Both were rushed to the hospital, and their conditions are yet to be disclosed.

Sharon, a resident of North Green Bay Road, described hearing a loud noise but initially dismissed it as an accident. It wasn’t until later that she noticed the flashing lights of emergency vehicles and realized the gravity of the situation. “It was a boom, boom,” she recounted, “and I just thought it might be an accident.”

The Dodge Charger, believed to be stolen from Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, fled the scene, prompting a massive manhunt. A Waukegan police officer spotted the vehicle on Sunset Avenue and attempted to stop it, but the driver sped off. The chase intensified as a Lake County deputy joined the pursuit on Route 41 near Route 173, but the Charger continued to evade capture, making a daring U-turn at Stearns Road.

Law enforcement officers deployed drones and K-9 units in their relentless pursuit. The chase reached a climax when a Zion police officer laid down spike strips on Route 173, causing the Charger to crash into a wooded area. Two suspects were apprehended at the scene, and firearms were recovered from the vehicle.

The dramatic events have left residents uneasy. “It’s scary because we’re right by Green Bay Road,” Sharon said, reflecting the tension in the community.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, working to confirm the vehicle’s stolen status and secure charges against the suspects. The incident underscores concerns about rising crime and public safety in the area.