Man Injures Officer After Five-Car Crash, Gun Incident: Palatine PD

PALATINE, IL – A Palatine man is charged with two felonies for abusing a police officer during an investigation into a multi-car crash last week. James Howard, 26, of the 1500 block of N. Winslowe Drive, was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, aggravated resisting a police officer and obstructing a peace officer.

The charges stem from a series of incidents that occurred Thursday, including a car accident previously reported by Patch.

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According to police, calls were received at 10:30 a.m. Thursday that people in a black SUV were pointing handguns at other people in the area of ​​Spruce Drive. Once on scene, police saw an SUV matching the description exiting southbound Spruce Drive onto N. Rand Road at a high rate of speed.

RELATED: Five-car accident sends 4 people to hospital with injuries – Palatine PD

After the SUV passed them, police attempted to change direction to locate the vehicle as it was driving “recklessly” when it crossed into oncoming traffic on N. Rand Road and approached the intersection of E. Dundee Road approached. After passing through the southbound intersection, the SUV crashed into several cars, including another SUV, rendering the reckless vehicle undriveable.

According to police, a 20-year-old driver of the reckless vehicle was injured and taken into custody. A 22-year-old passenger was arrested at a nearby store after fleeing the scene of the accident on foot.

Police recovered two loaded handguns at the scene. Both handguns had extended magazines and one of the handguns appeared to be modified.

During the arrest of the driver of the black SUV, Howard reportedly attempted to assault the driver of the black SUV after his girlfriend’s vehicle was struck. A Palatinate officer intervened and suffered life-threatening injuries while arresting the man. The injured Palatine officer was taken to an area hospital and later released.

Soft lockdowns were initiated at both Palatine High School and Virginia Lake Elementary School following the incident.