Police: Man jumps on hood of car to stop hit-and-run driver

A 44-year-old man jumped on the hood of a car to stop the driver from the leaving the scene of a crash Tuesday morning in west suburban Riverside, according to police.

Jacob D. Joyce, 21, was charged with hit-and-run, aggravated assault, reckless driving, and leaving the scene of an accident; and cited for driving while license suspended, driving without insurance and several other traffic violations, according to Riverside police.

About 9:15 a.m., a 44-year-old Chicago man was driving a 1999 Toyota van south and crossing the BNSF railroad tracks in the 3400 block of Harlem Avenue when his van was struck by a car, police said.

The 1992 Honda struck the van while changing lanes, police said. Both drivers pulled over, and when the man got out of his vehicle to speak with the other driver, Joyce took off south on Harlem.

The victim jumped back in his van and followed the car while calling 911. When both vehicles reach Harlem and Ogden, the man jumped out of his car to try to stop Joyce, who again tried to drive away.

The man jumped on the hood of Joyce’s car, and Joyce drove his car in two continuous U-turns to try to throw him off the car, police said.

After about one minute, the car stopped and the man jumped off the hood, police said. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Joyce holding a crowbar and threatening the older man.

The victim was not injured and refused medical attention, police said. Several people witnessed the incident, including a man who was doing repairs on the roof of a nearby White Castle and took photos, which he gave to police.

Joyce, who has a home address in the 5800 block of North Harlem in Chicago, recently moved to Illinois from New Jersey, police said.

“I am extremely thankful that the victim was not injured,” Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel said in a statement. “I do not encourage anyone to put themselves in harm’s way when it comes to following an offender and the victim was lucky he was not injured.”