TWO MEN ARRESTED AFTER WRONG-WAY CRASH INJURES ILLINOIS STATE POLICE TROOPER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2025
May 26, 2025
CHICAGO – Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 1 arrested 44-year-old William Oiler and 57- year-old Herbert Needom, both of Harvey, after a crash left an ISP trooper injured. Both men were charged with one count of Felony Theft - Previous Conviction (Class 4 Felony). Oiler was also charged with three counts of Fleeing to Elude (Class 4 Felony), Fleeing to Elude, Great Bodily Harm (Class 4 Felony), Fleeing to Elude, Damage to Property Over $300 (Class 4 Felony), and one count of Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Accident (Class 4 Felony). Needom was also charged with one count of Burglary Tools (Class 4 Felony).
On May 22, 2025, the Country Club Hills Police Department attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle occupied by two suspects who were wanted for theft. The vehicle fled the officer and drove the wrong-way onto I-57. At approximately 1:05 p.m., an ISP trooper was entering I-57 southbound from 159th Street when their squad car was struck head-on by the fleeing vehicle which had continued in the wrong direction. After the crash, the two male suspects fled the scene on foot.
A short time later, Markham Police Department officers located and arrested the two suspects and identified them as Oiler and Needom. Oiler and Needom both sustained injuries from the crash and were transported to an area hospital with injuries. The ISP trooper was also transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. ISP special agents assumed the investigation and took custody of both Oiler and Needom upon their release from the hospital.
On May 23, 2025, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the abovementioned charges. Oiler and Needom are being held pending a detention hearing. There is no additional information.
The charges are not evidence against the defendants, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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