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Elgin parolee in fatal crash, police chase held on $1 million bail

A Kane County judge set bail at $1 million Monday for a 34-year-old Elgin parolee accused of causing the death of a Carpentersville man last week during a police chase,

Steven Luellen, of the 300 block of 300 block of Jefferson Avenue, faces up to 14 years in prison if convicted of aggravated DUI in the death of Miguel Agustin Tellez, 35.

Prosecutors say Luellen was under the influence of a combination of alcohol, cocaine, marijuana and benzodiazepines, which is the scientific name of a class of anti-anxiety drugs, when he drove and crashed May 27.

Luellen also is charged with reckless homicide, no insurance, driving while license revoked and failure to wear a seat belt.

According to police, Luellen, who was wanted on a parole violation, ran a stop sign in his 2011 Nissan Maxima at Jefferson and Liberty streets and crashed into Tellez' minivan.

The impact forced the minivan into a home and Tellez was later pronounced dead at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin.

At a bond hearing Monday in the Kane County jail infirmary, Luellen sat in a green hospital gown, both legs in casts that stopped just below his knees.

Assistant State's Attorney Katie Doyen argued to Judge William Parkhurst for a $2 million bail, noting Luellen's lengthy criminal record and his four stints in prison.

“He knew he had the (Department of Corrections) warrant. As he drove off in the completely reckless manner, the officers were not in pursuit of him,” Doyen said. “His history shows he is a violent person.”

Defense attorney Liz Lovig said her client needed physical therapy, had strong ties to the Elgin area and his fiancee was pregnant.

“You can obviously see he's not going to be driving or going anywhere,” Lovig said. “Both of his legs are shattered.”

Luellen must post $100,000 to be released while the case is pending. He is next due in court June 13, and Lovig has demanded a jury trial.

Luellen's passenger, Josette Jarvis, 35, of the 300 block of Griswold Street, Elgin, sustained internal injuries, was taken to Sherman and is expected to survive.

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