One in Custody After Driver Flees During Traffic Stop
On the morning of Tuesday, July 29, 2025, shortly after 9:00 a.m., a Kankakee County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop in Bourbonnais on a vehicle displaying suspended registration. During the stop, the deputy was speaking with the driver, identified as 21-year-old Erik Sostenes (Kankakee), outside of the vehicle. Without warning, Sostenes re-entered the vehicle and attempted to flee.
As the deputy tried to prevent Sostenes from leaving, a physical struggle ensued. Sostenes accelerated while the deputy was partially inside the vehicle, dragging the deputy several feet along the pavement before he was thrown to the ground. Sostenes then fled the scene at a high rate of speed, creating a dangerous situation for officers, motorists, and construction workers in the area. Due to the reckless nature of the pursuit, including Sostenes entering a congested, one-lane construction zone, the pursuit was ultimately terminated out of concern for public safety.
Sostenes was later apprehended and is facing multiple felony charges, including:
· Aggravated Battery to a Police Officer
· Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding
· Resisting a Peace Officer
· Reckless Driving
“The Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office will never tolerate acts of violence against our deputies for simply doing their jobs—enforcing the laws on the books,” said Sheriff Mike Downey. “Unfortunately, recent legislation such as the SAFE-T Act has swung the pendulum too far, creating an environment where violent offenders are emboldened, and law enforcement officers are placed at even greater risk.”