A driver was arrested Wednesday following a high-speed chase in Henry County.

Matthew D. Reges, 30, was charged with offenses of no lights when required, driving while license suspended, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, driving too fast for conditions, failure to signal when required, improper lane usage, disobeying a stop sign, speeding (26–34 mph over the posted speed limit), reckless driving, and aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer.

A Henry County Sheriff’s Office news release on the arrest did not list an address for Reges.

The release said that Wednesday evening near Route 17 and 980 East in rural Woodhull, a sheriff’s deputy observed a vehicle operating without taillights and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The driver fled, and a pursuit was initiated, the release said.

“While attempting to evade law enforcement, the driver drove into cornfields and accelerated to speeds above the posted speed limit,” the release said. 

The pursuit ended at approximately 1800 East and 700 North in rural Galva when the driver fled on foot. After a brief search, the driver was apprehended and taken into custody.

Reges was taken to the Henry County Jail, where he will await court proceedings.

“We would like to thank the Galva and Kewanee Police Departments and the Illinois State Police/DNR for their assistance,” Chief Deputy Benjamin Franklin wrote in the release.