Man drives into two cops in fracas outside Elgin bar, police say

A 35-year-old Elgin man is behind bars, charged with driving into two police officers and trying to run down another late Friday evening in a tavern parking lot.

James F. Scullion, 582 Lucille Ave., is charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding causing bodily injury, aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol while driving with a suspended license, aggravated fleeing and eluding causing damage over $300, aggravated battery to a police officer, criminal damage to property over $300 and criminal damage to state supported property.

All six are felonies, the most serious punishable by up to seven years in prison.

Police were called to JB's Pub, 297 S. McLean Blvd., late Friday about a fight in the bar. When officers arrived a witness reported he had been battered by a man sitting outside in a car.

When an officer went to the front of the car to prevent it from leaving, the driver, later identified as Scullion, drove toward the officer, forcing him to jump out of the way, police said.

Scullion put the car in reverse, police said, striking one of the officers, then drove forward again, colliding with four vehicles in the parking lot and a nearby house. When he backed away from the house, police said, the vehicle struck a second police officer.

The vehicle struck one more patrol car before officers were able to subdue the driver, police said.

Deputy Elgin Police Chief Jeff Swoboda said the three officers involved in the incident were taken to a hospital for treatment and later released.

Scullion remains in the Kane County jail with a $40,000 bond and a Dec. 18 court date at the Kane County Judicial Center.