S. Elgin man arrested for 5th DUI after chase, crash
A 55-year-old South Elgin man was arrested last week and charged with his fifth DUI after leading Hampshire police on a short chase that ended when he crashed into a ditch, according to police and court records.
Gregory D. Rich, of the 600 block of Fieldcrest Drive, crashed his 1995 Chevy Blazer while trying to escape police, who also ticketed him for going more than 40 mph over the limit.
Hampshire Police Lt. Hobert Jones said the arresting officers found an open bottle of brandy in Rich’s sport utility vehicle after the arrest at 10:30 a.m. Friday.
Jones said the incident began when an officer clocking motorists on Getzelman Road recorded Rich going south at 42 mph in a 30 mph zone. The officer turned on his lights, but Rich sped up and eventually crashed at Getzelman and Lenschow roads, Jones said.
“He did not make the turn. It’s a T-intersection,” Jones said.
Rich was extremely apologetic, complained of back pain and was taken to Provena St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin. He was treated and released and then arrested, Jones said. Rich refused chemical tests.
As of Wednesday, he was being held on $100,000 bail at the Kane County jail, meaning he must post $10,000 to be free while his case is pending.
According to court documents, Rich was charged with felony aggravated DUI and that it was his fifth DUI arrest; the documents did not specify where and when other offenses occurred.
The felony charge carries a prison term of between four and 15 years if convicted, but probation also is an option. Rich is next due in court Jan. 17. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney to represent him.
He also was charged with driving while his license was revoked and transportation of open alcohol.
According to court records, Friday’s DUI arrest was his first in Kane County. He was arrested in January 2003 in Crystal Lake and charged with DUI and DUI with a blood-alcohol concentration of more than .08. But those charges were changed to reckless driving and Rich paid a $2,129 fine, attended a victims impact panel, and completed DUI school and a year’s worth of supervision, records show.