Staff writer
A Hillsboro man faces domestic violence charges for the second time a in little over a year, after a bout of reckless driving led to a dangerous high-speed police chase Thursday evening, police reports said.
A victim from the 500 block of E. Grand Ave. reported being hit multiple times by Eddie A. Eaves, Jr., 36, Hillsboro, at her residence while she was holding her baby.
The victim was able to escape to a neighbor’s house for safety, and was taken by ambulance to Hillsboro Community Hospital where she and her baby were treated, police reports say.
The incident began at 8:20 p.m. when a call was received that a motorist was headed from McPherson County to Hillsboro along US-56, driving from one side of the road to the other in a Dodge Ram pickup truck.
Hillsboro police officer Randy Brazil responded to the call, police chief Dan Kinning said.
“It was kind of a basic thing,” he said. “It was someone all over the highway and having problems. We had someone who was either tired or intoxicated, so Randy Brazil was doing his best to find the person.”
Brazil caught up within half a mile of Eaves’ truck, which was reportedly traveling at speeds of 93 miles per hour a mile and a half west of Hillsboro. The officer lost sight of Eaves as he turned south onto Ash St.
Eaves’ vehicle was again spotted at 8:32 p.m., this time at his residence in the 500 block of E. Grand Ave.
Brazil arrived and saw Eaves leaving the residence. Eaves drove away onto Madison St. when Brazil tried to approach the vehicle. Eaves drove north on Madison St. and turned west onto 1st St., at which point Brazil turned on his lights and siren in pursuit.
Shortly after Eaves left the residence on E. Grand Avenue an ambulance was dispatched to the address, Kinning said.
Eaves, who was driving “at a high rate of speed” according to police reports, ran a stop sign at 1st and Main Sts., and again at 1st and Ash Sts., with Brazil pursuing a block behind.
Eaves turned onto Ash St. and passed two vehicles in a no passing zone. He then turned back onto US-56, this time headed west.
“He’s definitely a traffic hazard,” Kinning said. “You have to get him off the road before he hurts somebody.”
Eaves drove his truck 100 yards down the highway before his transmission gave out, where he was arrested without incident at 8:32 p.m.
Eaves was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment, battery, fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, driving under the influence, not using turn signals, passing in a no passing zone, and failing to stop at three stop signs.
He was released Friday on $7,500 surety bond.
The incident is the second time in a little more than a year Eaves has been jailed in Marion County on domestic violence charges.
He was charged in May 2018 with aggravated domestic battery, two counts of domestic battery, criminal restraint, and endangering a child.
In August 2018, he pleaded no contest to domestic battery, criminal restraint, and endangering a child. Charges of aggravated domestic battery and one count of domestic battery were dismissed as part of his plea agreement.
October 2018, he received a suspended sentence of 120 days in jail and was ordered to serve a year’s probation. As a part of his probation, he was ordered to get treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, get a domestic battery assessment, and take parenting classes.
In a 2015 case, he was charged with misdemeanor domestic battery and was granted a diversion agreement that terminated six months later.
The victim was the same in all instances.
“There’s always a concern this guy is going to return and do it again,” police chief Dan Kinning said. “That’s the main concern.”
Additional reporting on this story was done by Phyllis Zorn and Mindy Kepfield.