On Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019, at approximately 9:09 p.m., Champaign Police were dispatched to the intersection of Springfield Avenue and Kenwood Road for a reported hit and run.
The preliminary investigation revealed several individuals were engaged in a physical altercation outside a local business. During the incident, a male suspect entered a vehicle and proceeded to intentionally drive over several subjects involved in the altercation. Two individuals were seriously injured and transported to a local hospital where they continue to receive treatment.
As the investigation progressed and following a review of evidence and witness statements, 23-year-old Derek Overton (pictured) of Champaign was identified as the suspect responsible for driving the vehicle into the crowd. An arrest warrant has been issued for the offense of Aggravated Battery. Bond on the warrant was set at $500,000. Overton is described as approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall and 170 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to please to contact police at 217-351-4545. Arrangements may be made for information to be shared privately. If you wish to remain anonymous you may also submit tips to Crime Stoppers by phone at: 217-373-8477 (TIPS); online at 373tips.com; or the “P3 Tips” mobile app.
Champaign Police reminds citizens that information submitted to Crime Stoppers is completely anonymous. Calls are routed to a third-party national call center that receives your information, completes a tips information form, and then passes the information to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Caller ID tracking is not utilized by Crime Stoppers and conversations are not recorded.
Crime Stoppers will pay a reward up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person(s) responsible for this crime.