By Carolyn P. Smith
Belleville News-Democrat
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. — A Fairview Heights man has been charged after authorities say he rammed a police squad car on Wednesday, forcing it into another vehicle during a traffic stop on Old Collinsville Road, just south of Frank Scott Parkway.
St. Clair County State’s Attorney Jim Gomric’s office charged Keajion L. Jennings, of the 300 block of Union Avenue, with criminal damage to government-supported property, two counts of aggravated battery, and one count of aggravated assault.
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According to charging documents, the incident left a 2021 Ford Explorer — used as a Fairview Heights Police Department squad car — with more than $10,000 in damage.
Officer Travis Montgomery had stopped a 2016 Nissan Rogue for an expired license plate sticker, which police said was five years past due, around 9 a.m. Wednesday. As Montgomery approached the passenger side of the Nissan, Jennings allegedly drove his gray 2018 Chevrolet Camaro into the rear of the squad car, with its emergency lights activated.
“The driver, now identified as Jennings, quickly exited his vehicle and approached the officer, who had his body camera activated,” the Fairview Heights Police Department said in a news release. “The driver admitted he had consumed alcohol and weed gummies. He then volunteered he purposely drove into the police vehicle because he does not like police officers.”
The impact pushed the squad car into the Nissan Rogue, which was occupied by Jonathan Plant and Kim Plant, according to police. No injuries were reported.
Jennings is also charged with aggravated assault for allegedly placing Officer Montgomery in reasonable apprehension of being struck by a vehicle while Montgomery was in close proximity to his squad car.
The Plants received a warning for the expired license plate, according to police.
The Fairview Heights Police Department called the Illinois State Police to investigate the incident.
Gomric’s office has also filed a pretrial petition seeking to detain Jennings, arguing his release before trial would pose a real and present threat to community safety.
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