Man injured in south-county accident

An Aurora man was seriously injured when he crashed his 2004 Saturn into a utility pole at a high rate of speed Saturday night, according to a report from the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office.

Police said Charles N. Ortega, 29, of the 1900 block of Robert Street in Aurora, was southbound on Somonauk Road about 8:30 p.m. when his vehicle left the roadway just north of Pine Road. Several witnesses had already called police and reported Ortega for reckless driving, claiming he had nearly struck several vehicles.

The car struck a utility pole on the east side of the road, and Ortega had to be extricated by the Sandwich Fire Department, the report said. He was taken to Valley West Community Hospital in Sandwich, then was airlifted to OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford. On Sunday afternoon, his condition had been upgraded to fair.

Ortega was charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving, driving an uninsured vehicle, disobeying a stop sign, improper lane use, driving without lights when required and failure to wear a seat belt.