Montrose Man Arrested in Alleged Stabbing, Pursuit (updated for court appearance)

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Published on July 10 2018 8:01 am
Last Updated on July 10 2018 3:53 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

A Montrose man was arrested Sunday night after an alleged stabbing incident and a pursuit that involved parts of three counties and ended with an arrest in a fourth.

46-year-old Edward G. Nelson was arrested by Effingham County sheriff's deputies on two counts of aggravated domestic battery, and counts of aggravated assault and aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude as well as speeding 100MPH in a 70MPH zone. The aggravated domestic battery counts allege great bodily harm and strangulation.

Effingham County Sheriff Dave Mahon said a woman went to the front desk of the Red Carpet Inn in Montrose Sunday night and reported that her boyfriend had stabbed her in the breast with a knife and then fled the scene. Mahon said the woman's injuries were judged non-life threatening.

Deputies spotted a van reportedly driven by Nelson headed east on US Route 40 into Cumberland County and attempted to stop the van, which was traveling at a speed of only 25MPH, but the vehicle didn't stop. The pursuit headed into Jasper County, then back into Cumberland County, ending up back on Route 40 at Woodbury. The van then headed west back to Montrose, where Nelson traveled onto Interstate 70 eastbound. At that point, Mahon said the van traveled down into and through the median, then headed west where a high-speed chase began with speeds clocked at up to 100MPH. 

Police eventually called off the pursuit because of concern that other motorists might be harmed, but later learned that the van crashed near the Brownstown weigh station in Fayette County. Fayette County deputies held Nelson for Effingham County deputies.

Nelson made his initial court appearance via video Tuesday morning. He was charged with aggravated domestic battery for the stabbing incident, as well as aggravated domestic battery for the alleged strangulation and aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude police by traveling at least 21MPH over the speed limit. He is due back in court Wednesday so bond can be set.

Effingham County and Fayette County sheriff's deputies, Effingham City Police and Teutopolis Police were involved in the incident along with Illinois State Police.