Uber Driver Attacked, Nearly Stabbed by Drunk Passenger: Cops

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ST. CHARLES, IL - An unruly and drunk passenger is accused of attacking an Uber driver who tried to rouse the passed-out man from his stupor so he could find out where in St. Charles to stop, police said Monday.

Tyler Royer, 26, of the 1600 block of Avalon Court in St. Charles, now faces misdemeanor charges of aggravated assault, reckless conduct and two counts of battery following the Sunday-night attack, according to the St. Charles Police.

The 54-year-old Uber driver, police said, picked Royer up in Campton Hills and was supposed to bring him to an address in St. Charles. Royer, who was highly intoxicated, fell asleep in the back seat before providing the driver with an address of where he was to be taken, according to the news release. When the driver attempted to wake Royer, Royer became enraged, grabbed the driver by the face and pulled on his head, nearly causing the driver to veer off the road. The driver estimated he was traveling at about 45 mph when the attack occurred.

Royer is also accused of then punching and kicking the inside of the vehicle. The driver pulled into a business parking lot at Randall and Main and tried to get Royer out of his car. Royer then allegedly pulled a 4-inch knife and tried stabbing the driver, police said.

The driver ran into the store and told the clerk to call 9-1-1. When officers arrived, the offender fled westbound on foot. He threw the knife into a retention pond, police said. Officers caught up to him and took him into custody.

Royer was taken to the Kane County Jail on Monday for bond call. The driver did not sustain serious injuries from the attack. The car had some minor scuffing but otherwise was not damaged.