ROCK FALLS, Ill. — UPDATE (March 30): The Rock Falls Police Department identified drivers involved in the fatal collision at about 4 p.m. Tuesday on Route 30.
The suspect that fled the traffic stop was Nazier Pryor, 19, of Chicago. He was transported to a state hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries sustained, where he later died, according to the department.
Bruce O'Neal, 61, of Rock Falls was the driver of the pickup that was struck head-on by the suspect. O'Neal died on scene.
The incident remained under investigation by Illinois State Police and the Rock Falls Police Department as of Wednesday morning.
ORIGINAL (March 29): A high-speed chase Tuesday, March 29 left one person dead and another with life-threatening injuries, according to the Rock Falls Police Department.
Police Chief David Pilgrim said the chase began at about 4 p.m. when a Sterling officer tried to stop a black Mercedes for a traffic violation. The driver fled and struck another vehicle near 1st Avenue and 3rd Street. The officer lost sight of the suspect vehicle in the area of Le Fevre Road and 2nd Avenue.
Shortly after, a Rock Falls officer spotted the vehicle traveling south on 12th Avenue and tried to make a stop, but the driver fled at a high speed, police said. The suspect continued east on Route 30 across the Hennepin Canal and clipped another vehicle before crashing into a pickup truck traveling west.
Both vehicles were heavily damaged, and the truck's driver died on scene. A passenger in the truck was injured and transported to a local hospital for treatment. The suspect was also treated for life-threatening injuries, police said.
No identities were released as of Tuesday night, and the incident remained under police investigation.
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