Traffic Violation in Front of Law Enforcement Leads to DUI
A suspect with several Driving Under the Influence (DUI) convictions has been charged again after he was seen driving past law enforcement the wrong way down a one-way street in Riverside, Illinois. Just before 1:00 am on a Friday, a law enforcement officer witnessed the suspect drive the incorrect way down a one-way street, passing right in front of them in their fully marked police cruiser – the suspect turned right and headed westbound on an eastbound only street.
The law enforcement officer stopped the driver and asked where he was heading to. The driver told the officer he did not have a driver’s license, and he was coming from a family gathering where he had been drinking much of the night. After checking the driver’s records, the officer discovered the driver’s license had been revoked for several previous DUI convictions. The suspect also failed all the sobriety tests administered by the law enforcement officer and showed signs of being severely impaired.
Before the vehicle was towed, law enforcement found a half empty liquor bottle in the front seat of the car. While being arrested, the driver told police he was “tipsy” but “not drunk.” The suspect was charged with felony aggravated driving on a revoked license, felony aggravated drunk driving, driving the wrong way on a one-way street, transportation of an open container, and several other traffic violations. The suspect had previously been charged with two DUIs and five charges of driving on a revoked license.
The DUI suspect’s criminal history also included over 30 arrests for burglary, invasion of privacy, obstructing justice, several alcohol-related citations, and obstructing a police officer. The Riverside Police Department noted that this was just one of many alcohol-related arrests that were made over the recent Thanksgiving holiday, and that the worst offenders of drinking and driving are those offenders who repeatedly continue to get behind the wheel while intoxicated.
The Riverside Police Department also filed the paperwork for a civil seizure to confiscate the offender’s vehicle, and if they are awarded the offending vehicle, the police will auction it off and use the earnings to help fight drugged and drunk driving on their local roadways. The suspect in this case will stand trial for what will now be his third Illinois DUI charge, which could have severe consequences for his future.
