ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — A Davenport man is in custody after hitting a bicyclist while fleeing a traffic stop in Rock Island, according to Rock Island Police.
Just before 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, a Rock Island police officer attempted to pull over a black Chevrolet Impala in the 4200 block of 11th Street. Authorities say the driver, who has been identified as 21-year-old Jimmie Lightner III, then fled from the officer, at which point the officer decided not to pursue Lightner.
Lightner continued driving at a high speed before turning onto Blackhawk Road where he struck a 67-year-old male bicyclist. According to a press release, Lightner then fled the crash scene of the accident before abandoning his car along 12th Street and fleeing on foot.
Officers were able to locate Lightner and took him into custody. He has been charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, and failure to report an accident causing great bodily harm.
The bicyclist was transported to the University of Iowa Medical Center and at the time of publication, remains in critical condition.
The incident remains under investigation by the Rock Island Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division and Traffic Investigations Unit. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Rock Island Police Department at (309) 732-2677, Crime Stoppers at (209) 762-9500 or by using the P3 Tips app.
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