A Zion man has been released from the hospital and is in custody after he allegedly intentionally drove into a tree in what police say was a possible murder-suicide attempt in Beach Park.
Domingo J. Rogel, 68, of Zion, was charged with aggravated battery causing bodily harm, a Class 3 felony; aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony; and reckless conduct, a Class 4 felony.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Beach Park Fire Department responded around 7:45 a.m. Wednesday to 29th Street and Lone Oak Road in Beach Park for a vehicle crash with injuries.
Sheriff’s deputies arrived and located a Nissan Murano that struck a tree, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.
There was significant damage to the Nissan and two occupants were still in the car.
Rogel, who was the driver of the Nissan, and a passenger were trapped inside the car and firefighters had to extricate them.
Rogel and the female passenger were transported to area hospitals with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities learned that Rogel and the victim, a 38-year-old Zion woman, are in a relationship.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Francis DeRosa said Tuesday that Rogel had picked the victim up from work and they were on their way home.
The two had been having marital problems and the victim told Rogel she wanted to leave him.
The two were arguing with each other and the man indicated he was going to end their lives, Covelli said.
Rogel said there was “no point in living” if she did not want to be with him, DeRosa said.
The man accelerated as he was driving eastbound on 29th Street, veered off the roadway and drove directly into a tree.
DeRosa said the victim reported there had been a history of verbal and physical abuse with Rogel.
Rogel was discharged from the hospital Monday, placed into custody and transported to the Lake County Jail.
He appeared in bond court Tuesday morning where Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak ordered him held on a $350,000 bond, which was set when the warrant was initially issued.
Rogel remains held in the jail and would need to post $35,000 cash in order to be released.