A Chicago man, Kentrell Hayes, 25, has been ordered to remain in custody until his trial after leading police on a high-speed chase early Friday morning. During the incident, authorities found over 150 grams of illegal drugs in his car, according to DuPage County prosecutors.
Hayes, who lives on Chicago’s Near West Side, is facing multiple serious charges. These include two counts of manufacturing and delivering a controlled substance, one count of manufacturing and delivering cocaine, and one count of aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer. A judge ruled that he would remain in custody following his arrest.
The chase started when Westmont police pulled Hayes over for speeding. However, when the officer got out of his squad car, Hayes sped away. Westmont police decided to stop the pursuit after a short distance.
Later, around 1 a.m., Hinsdale police spotted a speeding Toyota that matched the description of Hayes’ car. They alerted Oak Brook police, who then set up “stop sticks” on Route 83 near 31st Street. Hayes drove over them and kept going, eventually turning onto Interstate 88. Oak Brook police chased him at speeds reaching 95 mph, but they had to stop when debris from his damaged car became a hazard.
Another Oak Brook officer picked up the chase and followed Hayes onto Interstate 290. With three tires already lost, he crashed into a concrete barrier. The impact caused his hood to flip up, blocking his windshield. Despite this, he continued driving and exited the highway near Austin Boulevard. Forest Park police were able to stop and detain him at that point.
When officers searched Hayes and his car, they discovered a large quantity of illegal drugs. They found 108 small bags containing approximately 149 grams of heroin and fentanyl. Additionally, they found four more bags holding about two grams of cocaine. Authorities also recovered $1,620 in cash from Hayes, which they suspect may be linked to drug sales.
Following his arrest, prosecutors confirmed that Hayes’ next court appearance is scheduled for March 17. His charges are serious, and he could face significant prison time if convicted. Law enforcement officials emphasized that high-speed chases and drug-related crimes put both officers and the public in danger, and they are committed to holding offenders accountable.
