Ogle County sheriff's police have arrested a Rockford man on drug and alcohol charges this past weekend following a vehicle chase from 2 area agencies prior to a 2-car crash in the 8,000 block of Route 2 in rural Byron.
Reports indicate that the accident took place a short time before 10:30 Saturday night. 23-year old Jeffery Boyd of Rockford had lost control of his Dodge Stratus traveling northbound on Route 2 as he was attempting to pass a vehicle on the shoulder of the highway.
Boyd's car spun out of control and slid into the southbound lane where it collided with a vehicle driven by 24-year old Chelsea Allen of Cherry Valley.
Sheriff's police learned that prior to the accident, Boyd fled from both Oregon and Byron police officers in an attempt to stop the vehicle for a traffic violation.
Boyd and a passenger in his car, 24-year old Justin Hollingsworth of Rockford, were extricated from their car by Byron Fire Department personnel. Boyd was transported by ambulance to Rockford Memorial Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Hollingsworth was taken by ambulance to Swedish American Hospital in Rockford with non-life threatening injuries.
Allen was not hurt in the crash.
Sheriff's police say that Boyd was arrested and charged with driving while under the influence of drugs along with illegal transportation of alcohol. Other charges include reckless driving, improper lane usage, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, and having no insurance.
The accident remains under investigation by Ogle County sheriff's police.