PIKE COUNTY, Ill. — Matthew G. Lawrence, 40, and Jessica K. Pope, 28, both from Champaign, Illinois, were arrested after a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 72 led to the discovery of illegal drugs and weapons.
The Pike County Sheriff’s Department reported the incident, which occurred around 10:30 p.m. on Friday. After crashing, Lawrence and Pope fled the scene. Witnesses spotted a man and woman at the crash site and offered help, but the pair declined assistance.
When deputies conducted a tow-inventory of the vehicle, they found crack cocaine, heroin, other controlled substances, used hypodermic needles, digital scales, and additional drug paraphernalia.
On Saturday, a citizen reported that two individuals claiming to have been left roadside had come to their home. With assistance from Pike County Crimestoppers and local residents, deputies located and arrested Lawrence and Pope on Sunday.
During Lawrence’s arrest, a loaded handgun was recovered. He faces charges of unlawful possession of a handgun by a felon, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and is wanted on two outstanding warrants from Douglas and Peoria counties.
Pope was charged with leaving the scene of an accident, unlawful possession of a weapon, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Both suspects are currently held in Pike County Jail awaiting hearings.
