Chicago Heights Man Facing Felony Charges After Wife Run Over During DUI Incident in Schererville
Maurice Berthal Spencer, 39, of Chicago Heights, Illinois, is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after police say he drove while intoxicated and ran over his wife during an argument in Schererville.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Schererville Police were dispatched on January 13, 2026, at approximately 6:58 p.m., to the area of 833 W. Lincoln Highway for a report of a female who had been run over by a motor vehicle. Upon arrival, officers found Schererville Fire Department medics rendering aid to a female victim who appeared to have sustained significant injuries.
Officers made contact with a male subject at the scene who identified the injured woman as his mother and pointed out another male, later identified as Maurice Spencer. The male subject told police that the victim and Spencer had come to assist with a flat tire when an intense argument began. He stated that the victim was halfway out of the passenger side of a white Dodge Durango when Spencer aggressively sped out of the parking lot, causing the victim to fall underneath the vehicle. The male subject reported that he clearly saw the rear passenger tire drive completely over the victim’s body.
Officers then made contact with Spencer, who was standing nearby as the victim was being treated. Police reported detecting an odor of alcoholic beverages on Spencer’s breath and observed his eyes to be bloodshot and watery. Spencer told officers that he and the victim, his wife, had been arguing about having to help with the flat tire. Spencer initially stated the argument became physical but later refuted that claim. Spencer stated that the victim exited the vehicle during the argument and that he attempted to leave, saying he did not realize the victim was still partially inside the vehicle when he drove away. He told officers he felt the rear passenger tire run over her and then got out and called 911.
Spencer admitted to having consumed “a couple of beers” earlier in the day and submitted to a portable breath test, which showed a 0.086 BrAC. Officers reported that the victim suffered suspected broken bones to the shoulder and face and possibly a broken pelvis and was transported to a local hospital for extensive treatment.
Spencer failed multiple standardized field sobriety tests, including the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus and One Leg Stand tests, according to police. He was taken into custody, and a search incident to arrest uncovered a vape device containing a gold wax-like substance that tested positive for THC.
Spencer later refused a chemical breath test after being read Indiana’s Implied Consent Warning. Police obtained a search warrant for his blood, which was drawn later that evening.
The following day, the victim told police she is separated from Spencer and stated that during the argument, Spencer ordered her and her two children out of the vehicle. As she reached back inside to retrieve her phone and purse, Spencer accelerated, causing her to fall. The victim reported that the rear passenger tire ran over the middle of her body and grazed her head. She stated that while she does not believe Spencer intended to run her over, he failed to stop immediately after the impact. As a result, the victim sustained two broken bones in her left shoulder and a fractured pelvis and remained hospitalized at the time the affidavit was filed.
Charges filed January 15,2026:
• Causing Serious Bodily Injury While Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated – Level 5 Felony
• Criminal Recklessness Committed with a Deadly Weapon – Level 6 Felony
• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person – Class A Misdemeanor
• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated – Class C Misdemeanor
• Possession of Marijuana – Class B Misdemeanor
