Zion man accused of punching pregnant girlfriend, fleeing in car

GRAYSLAKE – Lake County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a man who police say battered his pregnant girlfriend and led deputies on a vehicle chase.

About 5 p.m. July 17, deputies were sent to a residence in the 18500 block of West Old Gages Lake Road near Grayslake for a domestic battery, according to a news release.

The caller, a 43-year-old woman, reported that her daughter’s boyfriend, Felix James Jr., 22, of the 1900 block of Midday Drive, Zion, had just battered her and her daughter, a 19-year-old pregnant woman. James left the residence in a Chevrolet HHR, along with his girlfriend, before the arrival of sheriff’s deputies.

A short time later, Lake County Sheriff’s emergency telecommunicators received a 911 call from a witness who saw James repeatedly punching his girlfriend in the car as they traveled on Hunt Club Road in the area of Route 120, according to the release. A sheriff’s deputy spotted the Chevrolet HHR and tried to initiate a traffic stop in the area of Hunt Club and Gages Lake roads. Instead of pulling over, James fled from deputies east on Gages Lake Road, police said.

James turned from Gages Lake Road onto Route 21 and proceeded north. As James approached the intersection with Washington Street, he disregarded the red light and proceeded through the intersection, according to the release. The Chevrolet HHR was struck by a westbound Chevrolet Silverado, which caused the Chevrolet HHR to strike a Honda Odyssey that was in the intersection. The Honda Odyssey then struck a Subaru Outback.

The woman in James’ vehicle was taken to an area hospital for injuries and an evaluation of her unborn child. Deputies apprehended James, who was taken to an area hospital for minor injuries suffered in the crash, according to the release. James was treated and released from the hospital and transported to the Lake County jail.

After reviewing the facts and circumstances, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved charges of aggravated battery to a pregnant woman (Class 3 felony), aggravated fleeing and eluding (Class 4 felony), two counts of domestic battery (Class A misdemeanors) and several traffic violations.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office thanks the Gurnee Police Department and Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team for their assistance.