A Rossville man faces charges after leading police on a chase, then crashing the stolen vehicle northeast of Watseka. 39-year-old Jeremiah Smith jumped into the Iroquois River Friday in his attempt to elude deputies after crashing the stolen car. Officers pulled Smith from the river and had him taken to IMH.

Smith was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated fleeing and eluding, and felony driving while license revoked.

Iroquois County authorities were notified of the vehicle theft by the Hoopeston Police Department. Smith had led police on a chase Thursday night, according to the news release.

Local deputies located the vehicle heading north on Illinois Route 1 inside Watseka city limits and began pursuit Friday afternoon. The chase ended when Smith crashed the vehicle on Township Road 165. After crashing, Smith fled the vehicle and jumped into the river.

Watseka Police Department and Illinois State Police assisted on scene.

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