BMW Crashes Into Fence, Hits House On Raynor Ave, Teenage Driver Captured After Everyone Flees: Police

JOLIET, IL — On Labor Day weekend while most of Joliet was sound asleep in their beds, the overnight shift of the Joliet police force responded to a BMW that crashed through someone's fence and hit a portion of a house on South Raynor Avenue. The incident resulted in serious charges for an 18-year-old named Saad Alkhawaja of Burr Ridge.

According to police spokesman Dwayne English, at 3:20 a.m. on Sunday, an on-duty officer spotted the BMW sedan eastbound on West Jefferson Street near Midland Avenue at a high rate of speed. The officer did not pursue the vehicle, according to police.

A short time later, the officer saw smoke near West Jefferson Street and Raynor Avenue and discovered the BMW had apparently struck a residence in the 0–50 block of South Raynor Avenue.

The collision also damaged a fence at a neighboring residence. The vehicle was unoccupied, and witnesses reported
seeing several people flee the area following the crash.

While canvassing the area for the vehicle’s occupants, officers found Saad Alkhawaja, 18, of Burr Ridge in an alley near Hunter Avenue, English said.

According to police, Alkhawaja had visible injuries and was transported to St. Joseph Medical Center by the Joliet Fire Department.

"As the investigation progressed, officers identified Alkhawaja as the suspected driver of the BMW and observed signs of possible alcohol impairment. He was taken into custody without incident at the hospital," English said.

Alkhawaja was charged with aggravated DUI. He was also cited for reckless driving, operation of an uninsured vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident, and improper lane usage. He was released from the hospital and given a Notice to Appear
in court.

A City of Joliet building inspector later determined that the residence sustained no major structural damage. No other injuries were reported, Joliet police said.