In Fairview Heights, Illinois, police conducted a traffic stop around 9 a.m. on Wednesday due to an expired license plate sticker. This area is roughly 20 minutes east of St. Louis.
The stop took place on Old Collinsville Road, a quarter mile south of Frank Scott Parkway, where emergency lights were activated on the police vehicle.
As officers approached the vehicle from the passenger side, a 2018 grey Chevrolet Camaro backed into them.
The crash was described as “very intense” and resulted in the police vehicle being pushed into the car ahead of it.
The driver of the Camaro exited and approached the officer with the activated body camera.
The driver asked, “What happened?” to which the officer responded, “You should tell me.” The driver then remarked, “We need a new car.”
The officer instructed the driver to move to the sidewalk, noting that he was unharmed and alone in the car.
“I was drinking and I took weed pills,” admitted the driver, later adding, “I have insurance, but that won’t cover it.”
As the driver presented what seemed to be a driver’s license, he told the officer, “I did that on purpose, sir.” When asked why, he replied, “I’m bored.” Another officer then inquired if the driver had intentionally reversed into the police vehicle, to which he answered, “Yes.” When pressed further about that decision, he stated, “I hate cops, man.”
The entire encounter remained surprisingly calm, even as the officers began to handcuff the driver.
Illinois State Police were called in to investigate the incident, which was recorded on video. The driver was subsequently arrested and taken to the county jail.
On Friday, charges were filed against 28-year-old Keajion L. Jennings from Belleville, Illinois. These include:
- One count of criminal damage to government property.
- Two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
- One count of aggravated battery involving a vehicle.
Additionally, Jennings is also charged with assaulting another individual, allegedly causing them to fear being struck by the vehicle while near the squad car.
Jail records indicate he was arrested on the same day as the incident, with no bond currently listed. Jennings’ next court date was scheduled for Monday, and it appears he remained in custody as of Tuesday morning.
Two occupants in the vehicle that was initially pulled over were uninjured, as was the officer who was outside the police cruiser during the crash. The collision resulted in damages exceeding $10,000 to the police vehicle.
