Man Charged With DUI In Fiery Crash That Hurt Mom-To-Be In Glen Ellyn

GLEN ELLYN, IL — A West Chicago man is being held on $300,000 after police say he was intoxicated when he got into a fiery crash that hurt a pregnant woman in Glen Ellyn.

Steve Gayden, 28, was charged with aggravated DUI in connection with the Aug. 23 crash.

Police say they were called to the intersection of Roosevelt Road and Parkside Avenue around 11:14 a.m. for a report of a crash. When officers got to the scene, they say Gayden was standing near his car, which had caught on fire.

The woman, who was four months pregnant at the time, was rushed to a nearby hospital and treated for a fractured sternum, pelvis and ankle. Gayden was also treated for injuries at a hospital nearby.

According to police, Gayden had been driving erratically and passing cars via the road's center turning lane before he hit the woman's car as she was pulling out of the parking lot of a grocery store. Gayden is accused of being under the influence of alcohol when the crash took place.

He was arrested Sept. 14. Gayden is set to appear in court on Sept. 22.

“While allegedly under the influence of alcohol, Mr. Gayden had no business operating a motor vehicle,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.

He added, “Driving is a privilege, not a right, and it is alleged that Mr. Gayden not only abused that right by getting behind the wheel after he had been drinking, but in doing so, seriously injured a pregnant woman and put many other innocent motorists at risk. I urge everyone, if you have been drinking, call a friend for a ride or use a ride-sharing service. Do not make the mistake of believing you are alright to drive. You will be glad you did when you arrive safe at home and not in jail or worse."