An Illinois man is facing aggravated assault on a police officerand other charges following an early Sunday morning chase onInterstate 55, authorities said.

Jorge Amaro, also known as Jorge A. Davila, 49, of West Chicago,was arrested following the chase that began on Interstate 55 nearthe north Brookhaven exit and ended on Highway 84 shortly before 5a.m. Sunday, said Lance Falvey, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Departmentinvestigator.

The chase began when Deputy Jason Cole spotted Amaro, driving a1993 Ford F-150 truck, traveling south in the north bound lane.Speeds during the pursuit, which also involved the BrookhavenPolice Department, topped 100 miles per hour, Falvey said.

“This was an extremely dangerous situation,” Falvey said.

Amaro got off the interstate at the Highway 84 exit and headedwest. Falvey said the man tried to loop through the 84 Chevronparking lot but was blocked by law enforcement vehicles.

“He started using his truck as a battering ram,” Falveysaid.

Amaro struck Deputy Kevin Cartwright’s and Brookhaven PoliceDepartment Lt. Chris Case’s cars.

Cartwright’s car was hit in the front left area while Case’s carwas hit on the passenger side. Both vehicles sustained heavydamage, Falvey said.

Officers then fired several shots to disable Amaro’s truck.

“That was sufficient to end the ordeal,” Falvey said.

Falvey said Amaro, who remained combative with officers, wasthen taken into custody.

Cartwright and Case were taken to King’s Daughters MedicalCenter where they were treated and released. Amaro was not injuredin the incident.

“Alcohol does not appear to be a factor here,” Falvey said,adding that the incident remained under investigation for otherpossible substances.

Amaro was charged with two counts of felony aggravated assaulton a police officer, reckless driving, driving on the wrong side ofthe road, failure to obey an officer, resisting arrest and notag.

Amaro remained in jail Monday and no bond has been set, Falveysaid. The investigator said Amaro had six previous charges,including five aggravated assaults and one felony endangerment,dating back to 1993-94 in Yuma, Ariz.

“This is a very dangerous person that had to be stopped,” saidFalvey, adding that he was thankful for Brookhaven PoliceDepartment’s assistance.

Photographer Joel Bonner contributed to thisreport.