Dangerous DUI Arrest: Police Save Bystanders, Dodge Swerving Jeep SUV

Two police officers pushed civilians out of harm’s way, then dodged a speeding sport utility vehicle to escape without injury in a harrowing series of incidents Saturday night, St. Charles police report.

The St. Charles police officers were checking into a report of a possible domestic disturbance around 9:17 p.m. in a residential driveway, when a swerving Jeep SUV charged at them, narrowly missing the officers’ two parked squad cars but smashing down mailboxes and a speed limit sign before speeding away.

After checking to make sure his fellow officer and the civilians were OK, one officer began pursuit, and noted the vehicle was swerving from curb to curb and traveling at speeds of 60 to 70 mph in a 35 mph zone when it entered Geneva on Bennett Street (Route 25).

Police said the vehicle came to a stop behind other vehicles at a red light at East State Street (Route 38), but the driver—later identified as Roger Eugine Loeb, 47, of the 1S000 block of Thorndon Ridge Drive, Elburn—did not appear to notice the emergency lights, siren or air horn, and began to move forward again when the traffic light turned green.

When Loeb again pulled over and exited the vehicle, he could barely stand and did not understand what he had done wrong, reports said. Geneva police arrived to assist, as did a second St. Charles officer.

Police said Loeb's blood-alcohol content registered .243, more than three times the legal limit.

Loeb was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, DUI with a blood-alcohol concentration greater than .08, speeding, improper lane use and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.

He posted his driver’s license and a $300 cash bond and was released pending an April 17, 2013, court appearance.

Patch reports on law enforcement activity in St. Charles, Batavia and Geneva, using information provided by official agencies. Persons charged with a crime, or issued a citation for violation of a local ordinance, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If you or a family member are charged with a crime or cited for a violation, and the charge or citation is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify Patch editor Rick Nagel at rickn@patch.com or Ted Schnell at ted.schnell@patch.com and we will do follow-up reporting on the case.