Cop sees motorcycle at 140 mph

Maybe Adam Lester really had to go to the bathroom.That’s what Lester, 26, told the police officer who had just clocked his motorcycle at 140 mph Tuesday night on the McNaughton Bridge, police said.He had to wait until the officer took him to police headquarters under arrest for speeding more than 40 mph...

PEKIN  —  Maybe Adam Lester really had to go to the bathroom.  That’s what Lester, 26, told the police officer who had just clocked his motorcycle at 140 mph Tuesday night on the McNaughton Bridge, police said.  He had to wait until the officer took him to police headquarters under arrest for speeding more than 40 mph over the limit and fleeing and attempting to elude police, both misdemeanors, as well as other traffic violations.

The officer also cited Lester, of 18384 Thompson St. in rural Pekin, for endangering the safety of a minor, the 16-year-old girl who clung to him as his passenger on the high-speed ride. That charge, however, was not included among those a prosecutor filed Wednesday in Tazewell County Circuit Court.  County court records show Lester has been cited for speeding three other times since Sept. 11. He also was convicted of speeding three times, along with other traffic violations, between 2008-10, records show.

A city officer was operating a speed radar gun on the nearly mile-long bridge at Cargo Road at about 7:30 p.m. when an eastbound motorcycle flashed past him far beyond the 55-mph speed limit, Public Information Officer Mike Eeten said Wednesday.

“The officer said he even checked (the gun) twice” to verify its 140-mph reading, Eeten said.

The officer took off in pursuit in time to see the motorcycle slow down but still “blow through” a red light at Second and Margaret streets, Eeten said. He lost sight of the riders at Third and Margaret.  But Lester did not ride far from there, Eeten said. The pursuing officer spotted a motorcycle stopped between two vehicles that were parked between two buildings in the 300 block of Margaret. He got out and “snuck up” on Lester and the girl, said Eeten.

“When he told (Lester) to put his hands behind his back to be handcuffed, he said he had to pee,” Eeten said.

The girl later said Lester knew the officer was chasing him on the bridge and raced through the light to try to get away, Eeten said. When they stopped and tried to hide, Lester told her to switch jackets with him, Eeten recounted. Lester also acknowledged trying to elude the officer, Eeten said.  Lester was cited with reckless driving and disobeying a traffic control device in addition to the misdemeanors. He posted $200 cash bond in advance of a Nov. 4 initial court appearance.

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