May 18, 2025
Local News

High-speed chase ends in fiery crash in Volo, Wauconda police chief says

By LINDSAY GLOOR
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A car struck a utility pole before bursting into flames in front of the Volo Auto Museum Wednesday morning, museum photographer Rick Schultz said. Police told Schultz the car was involved in a high-speed chase prior to the crash. Photo provided by Schultz. (Richard Coyne)

VOLO – The Volo Auto Museum is known for its cars, but not for burning ones.

A high-speed police chase on Wednesday morning ended in a fiery crash in front of the museum, 27582 Volo Village Road, Wauconda Police Chief David Wermes said.

A 22-year-old man from Wauconda was spotted by Wauconda police about 10:30 a.m. driving north on Route 12 at 84 mph, Wermes said.

When police pursued the car, the driver sped up, Wermes said. A Wheeling police officer spotted the car driving about 100 mph, Wermes said.

The driver failed to navigate the intersection at Fox Lake and Volo Village roads, and crashed into a pole outside the auto museum, Wermes said.

When police caught up and took the driver from his car, a red 2014 Dodge Challenger, it caught on fire, Wermes said.

Wauconda Fire Lt. Dan Frey said firefighters responded to the crash and found a subject sitting on the side of the road with police. Frey said the man was taken to a local hospital with injuries that were not considered to be life-threatening. Firefighters extinguished the car fire without any injuries.

The driver, Dakota Eckmann, was charged with aggravated fleeing and attempting to elude police officers; reckless driving; speeding and possession of drug paraphernalia, Wermes said. Eckmann’s toxicology reports are pending, Wermes said.

As of Wednesday evening, Eckmann was being held at the Wauconda Police Department, Wermes said.

#Volo#Wauconda