Elderly Driver Allegedly Led Police On High-Speed Chase Over Expired Registration

An elderly man is facing charges for allegedly leading police on a high-speed chase, causing multiple hit-and-run crashes, after they attempted a traffic stop over expired registration.

The DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office said the court granted prosecutors’ motion for pre-trial detention of 73-year-old Thomas Philip of Woodridge on four felony counts of aggravated fleeing or eluding a police officer, one misdemeanor count of driving without a valid driver’s license and one count of misdemeanor operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

According to prosecutors, Bensenville Police officers attempted to stop a gold Lexus sedan for expired registration near the 400 block of W. Irving Park Road at around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. The driver of the Lexus, later identified as Philip, allegedly fled “at a high rate of speed.”

Philip allegedly disobeyed a traffic light at York Road and Green Street and drove into oncoming traffic multiple times. After following for about four minutes, officers ended the pursuit due to safety concerns.

At around 10:40 a.m., officers located the Lexus “slowly driving” through the parking lot of a strip mall. When one officer pulled up to Philip’s front bumper, he allegedly revered and struck another patrol vehicle that had pulled in behind him.

Philip allegedly fled officers again at a high rate of speed, avoiding spike strips police had tried to deploy at the parking lot’s exit. Driving northbound on York Road, Philip allegedly traveled at speeds in excess of 70 mph in a 35-mph zone.

Philip allegedly ran multiple red lights and entered Interstate 90, ultimately driving onto northbound I-294. During the pursuit on the expressway, Philip allegedly reached speeds of 90–100 mph, but also drove at very low speeds at certain points, causing “significant traffic congestion.”

Philip led pursuing officers all the way into Lake County, and “after being spike-stripped three times,” ultimately surrendered. He was taken into custody near I-94 and Buckley Road in Lake Bluff.

Investigators say Philip’s license expired in May 2019.

“For the fourth time in as many days, my office has filed charges against individuals who allegedly fled from the police instead of pulling over,” said DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin. “The allegations that Mr. Philip fled authorities on two occasions, the second of which involved multiple jurisdictions through three counties, are very disturbing. This epidemic threat to public safety must come to an end. Every time someone flees authorities, they are putting themselves, the officers involved and the public at great risk, and it is my fear that our luck may soon run out with deadly consequences.”

Philip’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 13.

“The community extends its sincere gratitude to the dedicated officers of the Bensenville Police Department and the assisting surrounding agencies for their swift and professional response to yesterday’s vehicle pursuit,” said Bensenville Chief of Police Bradley Swanson. “Thanks to the coordinated efforts, training, and commitment to public safety demonstrated by all responding personnel, the situation was brought to a safe resolution.