Latest news with #EastPeoriaPoliceDepartment
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
East Peoria man charged in connection with EastSide Centre SUV vs. motorcycle collision
EAST PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — An East Peoria man faces DUI and other charges after an incident near Eastside Centre late Monday night that left one person seriously injured. Dalton Johnston, 32, was charged in Tazewell County Circuit Court with leaving the scene of a personal injury accident and aggravated DUI, both felonies, in connection with the incident that occurred at about 10:20 p.m. Monday. Officers with the East Peoria Police Department were called after a SUV vs. motorcycle traffic collision, according to court records. When they arrived, they found a 41-year-old man who had been on the motorcycle with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries. According to court records, the injured motorcyclist suffered road rash on the right side of his body, a broken arm and a cut to his head that required staples. The SUV that was involved had already left the area. Later, officers found the vehicle and arrested Johnston. According to court records, Johnston admitted to a police officer that he had been involved in the collision and that he did not stop to render aid to the injured man or to call police as required by law. He also allegedly told police that he knew the motorcycle was stuck under his vehicle. As he was talking, the officer wrote in a statement that he could smell alcohol on his breath. Johnston's speech was allegedly slurred as well, according to court records. Chemical testing and a breath test indicated his blood-alcohol level was 0.128, above the legal limit of 0.08, according to court records. Johnston allegedly told an officer he had three shots of Woodford Reserve, a brand of whiskey. He was taken to the Tazewell County Jail early Tuesday morning and remains there as of Wednesday afternoon. He was initially booked on attempted murder charges but those were later changed to reflect what he was charged with in court. A date for him to appear in court has not been set, according to online court records. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
East Peoria Police honor fallen officer nearly a century after his death
EAST PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The East Peoria Police Department memorialized a fallen officer nearly a century after his death while recognizing current members of the department at the Festival Building on Thursday. 40-year-old Henry Kounse was shot and killed by a felony suspect while in the line of duty on Feb. 10, 1931, and he is the only East Peoria police officer to ever die while on the job. The memorial service featured bagpipes and a presentation of flowers to his surviving family members. Police Chief David Catton and Mayor John Kahl were among the speakers. After the ceremony, Catton said he hopes this serves as a reminder to the 50 officers currently employed by the department of the dangers of police work. 'They're out there every day doing it on the street and making arrests. But sometimes I think the safety part they forget about, and this just is that little extra reminder to really embody safety,' he said. After the memorial was the department's yearly awards ceremony, where different officers were recognized for the efforts they made over the past year. Catton said it's an opportunity to highlight the good work of his officers. 'We don't always get it right because we're human beings, but we do our best and it just gives that extra opportunity to really say thank you and to highlight some of their efforts that they did on a daily basis,' he said. This week is National Police Week, and Catton asks the community to thank a police officer if they get a chance to do so. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
