Joliet police officer, city sued by Plainfield man charged with fleeing

A Plainfield man facing an aggravated fleeing charge is suing a Joliet police officer and the city of Joliet over a 2024 chase that led to his arrest, marking it the third lawsuit filed over the incident.

On Tuesday, Mohammad Nakhleh filed a lawsuit at the Will County Courthouse against the city of Joliet and Joliet police officer Alfonso Sanchez.

The lawsuit alleged that Sanchez wrongfully engaged in a high-speed pursuit Jan. 7, 2024, that caused Nakhleh’s vehicle to collide with another vehicle.

Nakhleh’s lawsuit alleged that Sanchez did not follow proper protocol in his pursuit, did not activate his emergency lights and sirens, and also was driving on a revoked or suspended driver’s license.

Joliet Police Chief William Evans told the Joliet Board of Fire and Police Commissioners at a Dec. 9 meeting that he is seeking to fire Sanchez.

Evans said he was filing charges against Sanchez over alleged violations of the police department’s general orders.

The board may have a hearing on the Sanchez case Monday.

In December, Abigail Barrow and Kasey Artrip filed separate lawsuits against Nakhleh, Sanchez and the city over the same incident.

Nakhleh’s Mercedes Benz had crashed into a Chevrolet Equinox driven by Artrip after Sanchez had “impacted” the Mercedes Benz during his pursuit, according to Artrip’s lawsuit.

Barrow’s lawsuit said she was the front-seat passenger in Artrip’s vehicle.

The lawsuits from Barrow and Artrip also alleged that Sanchez did not follow proper protocol in his pursuit, did not activate his emergency lights and was not driving with a valid license.

Nakhleh was arrested and charged with aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm without a valid license and other charges.

Nakhleh’s felony case still is pending in court as of Wednesday.