A Batavia man will remain in custody after a judge denied his pre-trial release related to a hit-and-run incident in Warrenville Monday evening that led to a high-speed pursuit by police.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Warrenville Chief of Police Sam Bonilla announced yesterday that Judge Joshua Dieden granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for the 28-year-old suspect who has been charged with two counts of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding (a Class 4 Felony); one count of Aggravated DUI (a Class 4 Felony); 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 Driver.
On Monday at approximately 5:11pm, the Warrenville Police Department received information regarding a hit and run accident at Route 59 and Joliet Street. A responding police officer observed the vehicle allegedly involved in the hit and run and activated his emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop. It is alleged that the vehicle, later determined to be driven by the suspect, initially stopped at Williams Road and Butterfield Road, but when the officer approached the vehicle and told the suspect to put his hands up, the suspect drove away on Butterfield Road.
While the officer pursued the suspect with his emergency lights activated reaching speeds of approximately 70mph, it was insufficient to overtake the suspect, who eventually ran a red light at Route 59 and Butterfield Road and ran into an occupied Honda CRV, at which point he was taken into custody.
While the two occupants of the Honda were transported to a local hospital for minor injuries, officers allegedly observed that the suspect’s eyes were blood-shot and glassy, and that he smelled of alcohol. They also allegedly found an open bottle of alcohol in the driver’s side of the vehicle. It is alleged that at the time of the crash his BAC was 0.267, over three times the legal limit.
“Illinois law requires that when you are involved in a traffic accident, you must remain at the scene until authorities arrive,” Berlin said. “The allegations that instead of stopping, [the suspect] 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 [the suspect] 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.”
The suspect’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 8, 2025, in front of Judge Daniel Guerin.
