Couple Charged After 1 Pulled Over for DUI, Other Tries to Then Drive Drunk

A man and woman are facing charges after police say he was pulled over for drunk driving and she then hit an officer after trying to drive away while also drunk.

Officers responded to a cell phone complaint about a possibly impaired driver on Route 41 at 1 a.m. Oct. 9, police said. An officer found and followed the vehicle, which was being driven by Daniel D. Byrne, 47, of the 16800 block of West Serranda Drive in Libertyville. After watching the car swerve onto the shoulder and across lane markings several times, an officer pulled him over.

He smelled of alcohol, had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech, police said, and had trouble finding his license. He also thought he was driving on I-94. Additionally, police found a bag of cannabis on him.

He was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, unlawful possession of cannabis and improper lane usage. He was released on $3,000 bond with a Nov. 7 court date.

Officers also spoke with the car’s passenger, Patricia M. Byrne, 45, of the same Libertyville address. She, too, smelled of alcohol and did not seem able to drive, police said.

When an officer asked her to step out of the car, she refused, moved into the driver’s seat instead and tried to start the car, police said. When an officer tried to stop her from doing so, she struck him and then hit him with the car door. She then refused to get out of the car when police told her she was under arrest and had to be removed by officers.

She was charged with battery and resisting arrest, and was released on $150 bond with an Oct. 30 court date.