On May 17, 2020 at approximately 10:45 pm, Sgt. George Kilgren while on routine patrol in the area of 1st &
Butler St. witnessed a white male riding a blue & white dirt bike veer into the alley between 1st & 2nd St. without
usage of a left turn signal. Sgt. Kilgren activated his red and blue lights to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle.
The motorcyclist fled to Baldwin Ave., west on 1st St at a high rate of speed. Ran the stop signs at Forest and
Butler Ave. to 1st/Short St. Traveled south in the field until coming to 2nd St. He traveled the wrong way down
2nd St (east on a one way going west) until coming to Park Ave. At Park Ave he turned north on Park and
again began to accelerate at a high rate of speed until coming to Spencer Ave, where he turned west. He
continued west on Spencer at a high rate of speed until coming to Miller Ave. He then continued through the
parking lot of General Motors (2712 W 2nd St).
He continued through the parking lot and left through the exit going out onto SR 18 West (2nd St).
The dirt bike then pulled off into the grass, on the shoulder to the north of SR 18 and slowed to a near stop to
try and turn around 180 degrees. Sgt. Kilgren pulled his vehicle across in front of him and Officer Andry did the
same behind him in an attempt to “box” him in. While he was slowed to a near stop, Sgt. Kilgren exited his
vehicle and attempted to grab and pull the driver off the dirt bike while he was moving slowly, in an attempt to
end the pursuit.
As Sgt. Kilgren’s fingertips grasped his clothing he accelerated and pulled away. It was at this time when
another MPD vehicle driven by Officer Tommie Isom, who was attempting to turn around, struck Sgt. Kilgren’s
right knee with his push bumper. It knocked Sgt. Kilgren off balance but he was able to regain his footing and
got back into his police vehicle.
By this time the dirt bike had gotten onto Miller Ave and was traveling south from 2nd St. Sgt. Kilgren reentered
the pursuit and followed while the vehicle drove south on Miller, running the stop signs at 9th St and 16th St. At
26th and Miller the vehicle turned west and began to travel down 26th St. At Double H Plastics Manufacturing
(2548 W 26th) there was a train traveling south that was blocking 26th St. The dirt bike came to the train and
then began to drive parallel to the train going south in a freshly planted farmers field. The field was extremely
muddy. The dirt bike was struggling to maintain traction.
Sgt. Kilgren was able to catch up to the vehicle and stayed behind and to the left of it. The dirt bike suddenly
veered to the left away from the train, at which time Sgt. Kilgren inadvertently struck the dirt bike with the front
of his vehicle, while traveling at a slow speed of approximately 5-10mph.
Sgt. Kilgren exited his vehicle and took the suspect into custody. The suspect, identified as Kevin O’Banion
was transported to Marion General Hospital for medical clearance and then transported to the Grant Co. Jail.
Arrested: Kevin L. O’Banion, age 51, was charged with Resisting Law Enforcement w/Motor Vehicle &
Reckless Driving. Bond: $605.00 Cash
Officer Injured: Officer Kilgren was treated and released from Marion General Hospital with minor abrasions.