An Illinois man may avoid prison for hitting a car and shooting at the fleeing driver in November 2019.

Ralph Bevineau, 30, of Joliet, pleaded guilty Wednesday to robbery, a level 5 felony, and criminal recklessness, a level 6 felony.

According to the plea, he faces up to 8 1/2 years in Lake County Community Corrections, if he’s accepted. Judge Samuel Cappas would have to accept the deal.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 15.

A probable cause affidavit states that around 12:30 a.m. Nov. 13, 2019, Bevineau rammed a black Audi into a woman’s Chevrolet Cruze near the 3300 block of Michigan Street in Hammond, causing her to veer off the road and strike a telephone pole.

The woman later told police that when she got out of the car, she saw the driver of the Audi, Bevineau, step out and point a handgun at her, asking her if she wanted to die, the court document said.

He then went back into the Audi and retrieved a handgun before firing multiple shots at the woman as she ran away, the affidavit states.

When another woman pulled over in a red Ford to help, Bevineau allegedly got in her car and took off after a short exchange, according to the affidavit.

Deputy Prosecutor Chris Bruno is assigned. Defense lawyer Lakeisha Murdaugh is representing Bevineau.

mcolias@post-trib.com