Drunk Man Hits SUV After Fleeing Crash In Warrenville: Prosecutors

WARRENVILLE, IL — A Batavia man is accused of leading police on a drunken high-speed chase and hitting an SUV after fleeing a crash in Warrenville Monday.

Judge Joshua Dieden granted the state's motion Tuesday to deny Michael Fox, 28, pre-trial release after he was charged with two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding, one count of aggravated driving under the influence, and multiple misdemeanor and petty traffic offenses, including DUI, reckless driving, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, and transportation of open alcohol by a driver.

At about 5:11 p.m. Monday, the Warrenville Police Department received a call about a hit-and-run at Route 59 and Joliet Street. An officer responded, saw the car said to be involved, and activated his emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop. Prosecutors said the driver, identified as Fox, initially stopped at Williams and Butterfield roads, but as the officer approached and told Fox to put his hands up, the driver fled.

A chase ensued, with the illuminated squad car pursuing Fox, reaching speeds of about 70 mph while "Fox continued to gain ground on the officer," according to a news release.

The driver blew through a red light at Route 59 and Butterfield Road and crashed into the front passenger side of a Honda CRV, officials said. The SUV's two passengers were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Fox exited his car after the crash, and police took him into custody. Officers noted the driver had "blood shot, glassy eyes and an odor of alcohol about him" in addition to an open bottle of alcohol in the driver's side of the car, according to the release. Investigators say Fox's blood alcohol content was 0.267 at the time of the crash.

"Illinois law requires that when you are involved in a traffic accident, you must remain at the scene until authorities arrive," DuPage State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. "The allegations that instead of stopping, Mr. Fox ignored the law and fled the scene, only to then lead police on a high-speed chase are shocking. To make matters worse, it is alleged that Mr. Fox then crashed into a second vehicle, sending two innocent people to the hospital and was later found to have a BAC of .267, more than three times the legal limit. Thankfully, the victims in this case were not seriously injured, or worse."

Fox's next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 8 in front of Judge Daniel Guerin.

Patch Editor Emily Rosca contributed reporting.