ST. CHARLES – A drunken motorist last month led police on a winding and high-speed chase that continued even after he struck a tree, according to a St. Charles police report.
At 9:06 p.m. Sept. 24, an officer stopped in traffic at Bricher and Randall roads saw a rusty orange truck traveling south on Randall Road run a red light to turn left on eastbound Bricher Road, almost hitting several cars in the process.
With the squad’s lights on, the officer reportedly followed the motorist, who did not stop. Instead, the truck reportedly ran a red light at Bricher Road and Lincoln Highway – again missing other cars that had the right of way – and ran a stop sign at 14th and Prairie streets.
The officer called out a pursuit and noted the truck was going about 60 mph on eastbound Prairie approaching South Seventh Street – a 30 mph zone. The truck reportedly proceeded to lead police on a winding route that included Fifth, Oak, Seventh and Cutler streets, often running traffic lights or stop signs.
Soon after a police sergeant told the officer to stop the pursuit, the truck turned onto southbound South Sixth Street, where the driver lost control and ran off the road, hitting a tree, police reported.
Despite damage to the truck’s rear fender and bumper, the motorist reportedly continued on Sixth, Mosedale, Eighth and Prairie streets.
Meanwhile, Tri-Com Central Dispatch told police the license plate number matched with Casey A. Gemeny Jr., who had cautions on him for being armed, dangerous and threatening numerous politicians, police reported.
Police reportedly followed Gemeny from a distance as officers waited for information from Tri-Com.
Gemeny slowed to 40 mph in the West Main Street construction zone near Oak Street but was traveling at 70 mph as he approached Peck Road and the end of the St. Charles Police Department’s jurisdiction, police reported.
Police, however, followed him to Wasco and northbound Burlington Road.
Deciding it was too dangerous to chase Gemeny on a dark, winding road, a sergeant reportedly called off the three-unit pursuit. On the way back to St. Charles, police saw Gemeny turn onto Silver Glen Road and then onto Fox Bend Drive – a dead end.
The truck was parked behind a detached garage not visible from the street, and an officer reportedly saw Gemeny run away.
Numerous squads from Kane County, Campton Hills and Geneva – and a dog unit from the Elgin Police Department – responded to the residence, police reported.
Gemeny reportedly emerged after hiding in the backyard. He told police he wasn’t out in his truck that night, and the keys were in the house. Police reportedly found his car keys in his pants pocket.
Gemeny reportedly refused field sobriety tests and to provide a breath sample.
Gemeny, 42, of the 41W600 block of Fox Bend Drive, Campton Hills, was charged with aggravated fleeing/eluding police, a Class 4 felony; driving under the influence of alcohol; failure to stop after a property damage accident; and numerous counts of disobeying a traffic control device.
He is out of jail on bond. He is expected in Kane County court today for a status hearing.
