On August 22, 2013, Michelle Parker was driving to work as a cleaning lady when she was struck and killed during a police involved high speed pursuit.
Winnebago County Sheriff Deputies Clarence Saulters and rookie deputy Stephen Martellaro observed a pickup truck leaving the State Street Station parking lot and swerving into oncoming traffic before correcting. Martellaro initiated a traffic stop and both deputies reportedly smelled alcohol when they approached the vehicle. After returning to their squad car, FOIA released footage reported by RRStar indicates Saulters told Martellaro the driver was “debating on if he should take off,” while they continued discussing field sobriety testing. The suspect then drove off, prompting Saulters to instruct Martellaro to pursue.
The pursuit escalated as the driver swerved through traffic at speeds exceeding 80 MPH. Even after crashing into a Ford Ranger near Turner Street and Alpine Road, the driver continued fleeing. The chase ended at the intersection of Garrett and Mulford, where the fleeing vehicle ran a red light and struck Michelle Parker’s car as she proceeded through on green.
Parker suffered fatal injuries from the crash.