Chicago DUI Lawyer Blog

A Tennessee man was charged with DUI on New Year's Day after allegedly falling asleep in his vehicle in the drive-through lanes of the Rock 'n' Roll McDonald's in River North. At approximately 6 a.m. on Sunday morning, Walter Dixon, 30, was reportedly sleeping in his SUV alongside another sleeping passenger. Officer's claim Dixon said he "just wanted another McDonald's sandwich," when he awoke.

Dixon reportedly admitted to having consumed several glasses of wine, and an open bottle of tequila was found in the vehicle. He had a BAC of .207. In addition to driving under the influence, Dixon was charged with illegal transportation of alcohol, driving on a revoked license, and obstructing identification after allegedly providing officer's with a false name.

Driver Caught Drunk, Sleeping in Drive-Thru: Cops, www.nbcchicago.com, January 3, 2012

Motorist who passed out in drive-through `just wanted another McDonald's sandwich', www.chicagotribune.com, January 2, 2012

Julio Duran, 27, was charged with aggravated DUI after crashing into an auto repair shop in the Mount Greenwood neighborhood around 1:20 a.m. last Friday. Duran allegedly measured a BAC of .294, more than the three times the legal limit.

Duran was taken in critical condition to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. He remained in the hospital on Saturday while a judge ordered him held on $250,000 bond.

Duran was also cited for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident, Driving on a Revoked License and Driving without Insurance.

Drunken southwest side driver charged for Mount Greenwood Wreck, www.myfoxchicago.com, November 6, 2011

Paul Woodard walked into court with his public defender with hopes that his $20,000 bail would be reduced to $10,000. However, Assistant States Attorney Andrew Whitfield told a Kane County Judge about Woodward's 25 previous driving on revoked charges, seeking to increase his bond to $150,000.

Judge Kostelny instead raised his bond to $75,000. Whitfield argued that the only way to protect the public would be to raise Woodard's bond to keep him off the street.

Woodard was charged with aggravated DUI and aggravated driving with a revoked license. After officers tried to stop Woodward for driving 44 mph in a 30 mph zone, Woodard pulled into a driveway and allegedly attempted to flee on foot but was eventually caught. Due to his previous convictions, Woodard is facing a Class 2 felony. If convicted, Woodward's previous drug and other felony convictions could result in an extended sentence on the new charges.

Kane judge raised bail on DUI suspect with 25 previous revoked license charges, www.suntimes.com, June 16, 2011

Carlos Estrada, 42, of Berwyn was arrested on suspicion of DUI on Wednesday, just hours before he was due to appear in court to be sentenced on a prior DUI. Just before 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Estrada was pulled over in a Dodge Durango near the intersection of Harlem Avenue and Lawton Road for an expired registration sticker. As the officer approached the vehicle, the driver sped away.

After another officer spotted the vehicle in Berwyn, Estrada allegedly blew eight stop signs in an effort to outrun the police. The chase was called off out of concern for public safety. However, around 1 a.m. the vehicle was spotted again and police followed the vehicle to Estrada's home. After Estrada exited the vehicle, Riverside officers reportedly chased him through yards before tackling and arresting him.

Estrada's has had a revoked driver's license since 1985 for three DUI convictions. Police say aggravated DUI charges are pending the results of blood and urine tests. Estrada was charged with felony aggravated fleeing and eluding as well as a number of traffic citations.

Man pulled over for DUI on morning he's to be sentenced for DUI, www.suntimes.com, June 3, 2011

Terry Robinson, 48, was taking his 19-year-old daughter to work in Calumet City when he allegedly ignored the crossing signals and drove onto the railroad tracks at 97th Street and South Eggleston Avenue. His Pontiac Grand Prix was struck on the passenger side by an Amtrak train bound for New York. The train was going 40 mph and Robinson's daughter, Patricia, received the brunt of the impact. She was pronounced dead later that night at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. Her father had allegedly been drinking with a BAC just below the .08 percent limit.

Terry Robinson was recently paroled four months prior to the accident for attempted burglary. He was also convicted for delivery of a controlled substance in 1994. Robinson has more than 50 traffic citations on his driving record, including numerous arrests for driving on a revoked or suspended license. Robinson is now being charged with reckless homicide for the death of his daughter.

Dad charged after daughter killed in car-train crash, www.chicagobreakingnews.com, April 12, 2011

Jeff Kuna, 38, started teaching driver's education and physical education on August 21, 2008. But after hearing about his recent DUI arrest, Valley View School District reportedly swapped his classes so he isn't teaching driver's education any longer. Kuna is also the Romeoville High School's head football coach.

Kuna was arrested on February 20, 2011 for driving under the influence and speeding on Route 126 and Schlapp Road. He was pulled over with three passengers in his car at 3:12 a.m.

If convicted, Kuna could face up to one year in jail, $2,500.00 in fines and have his driver's license revoked.

Romeoville football coach's DUI case continued, www.suntimes.com, April 4, 2011

John Jackson, 62, was spotted by Chicago Police driving south on Halsted with his headlights off. Upon pulling him over, the officers found did not have a valid driver's license or proof of insurance, and believed that he was under the influence of alcohol.

According to police reports, when the officers asked Jackson if he had been drinking he stated, "I had a little, I'm not drunk. I'm suspended for a DUI, I go to court tomorrow." After searching his vehicle, police allegedly discovered a half empty bottle of Hennessey Cognac.

Jackson was given a Breathalyzer test and charged with felony aggravated DUI, misdemeanor driving on a suspended license, and cited for driving without insurance, no headlights, and illegal transportation of alcohol.

Man arrested for DUI hours before hearing on another DUI charge, www.suntimes.com, March 23, 2011

Henry Benjamin III, 37, was arrested for DUI and issued several citations after allegedly driving a stolen truck while under the influence. Police reports indicate that Benjamin was spotted in a 1996 Dodge pick-up truck swerving and speeding on Route 25 in Carpentersville, Illinois.

Police pulled over the truck and determined that Benjamin was intoxicated after observing the driver's bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and odor of alcohol. According to police reports, Benjamin argued with the officers, and eventually one of the officers reached in the truck to grab him. Benjamin began driving off while dragging the officer, who was partially in the truck, for several feet. The officer let go of the truck and Benjamin sped off, starting a police chase. Benjamin, reportedly struck three marked squad cars before pulling over to flee on foot.

Two of the injured officers required treatment at a nearby hospital. Benjamin was treated and released into police custody.

Benjamin was charged with DUI causing great bodily harm, aggravated fleeing a police officer, driving on suspended or revoked license, aggravated battery, criminal damage to property, unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle, reckless driving and hit and run.

Area police injured, squad cars wrecked in DUI chase, www.nwherald.com, March 16, 2011

Cecil R. Conner Jr., 22, is charged with the several counts of aggravated drunk driving for a crash that killed his girlfriend's 5-year-old son. However, his defense attorney is blaming the Chicago Heights police officer who gave him the keys to the car and allowed him to drive to the police station. En-route to the police station, Conner drove off the road and crashed into a tree.

Prior to the crash, the boys mother Kathie Lafond, was pulled over and taken into custody for driving on a suspended license. The police stated Conner appeared to be sober and that LaFond gave her boyfriend permission to take the car with the child strapped into the booster seat. Conner's attorney stated that his client was "obviously drunk" but was still ordered to take the car and that the officer threatened to arrest his client if he didn't leave.

Conner was allegedly driving 75 mph in a 35 mph zone and had a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit.

Cop responsible for DUI death, defense says, www.chicagotribune.com, February 14, 2011

Trial delayed in fatal DUI case, www.heraldnews.suntimes.com, January 19, 2011

Driver Sheraz Kahn, 24, was stopped at a downtown Hinsdale's gas station after police officers received a complaint about a dark-colored Honda driving recklessly. Khan was arrested for driving under the influence of cannabis after he failed a field sobriety test and officers allegedly smelled a strong odor of burnt cannabis coming from inside the car.

Along with him were two passengers, Robert Ixta, 19 and Katherine Sampang, 20. Ixta was charged with possession of cannabis and unlawful use of a driver's license. Sampang was charged with interfering with a police officer after providing a false name. Sampang was not in possession of anything illegal.

3 arrested after report of reckless driving, www.triblocal.com, January 12, 2011

The son of Illinois Senate President John Cullerton pleaded guilty in Cook County traffic court to DUI.

Garritt Cullerton, 27, was sentenced to two years of conditional discharge plus mandatory alcohol treatment, 240 hours of community service and $1250 in fines. His drivers license has been revoked.

Cullerton was caught driving under the influence in his fathers's state-owned 2009 Ford Escape on April 18 of last year. He was found to have a blood alcohol level of .188. Cullerton was charged two previous times with DUI but records show the charges were reduced or dropped. This is his first DUI conviction. Cullerton's father stated that he was not authorized to use the vehicle.

Ill. senate president's son pleads guilty to DUI, www.chicago.cbslocal.com, January 7, 2011
Cullerton's son pleads guilty to DUI, www.suntimes.com, January 8, 2011

Eric Barth, 21, has been charged with six counts of aggravated DUI and accused of causing a three-vehicle crash in Kane County. Barth was driving a Chevy pickup truck when he allegedly veered into the opposite lane of traffic and crashed head-on into a GMC Yukon SUV. A Hyundai Sonata was unable to avoid the collision and crashed into the two vehicles. Investigators believe the icy road conditions may have contributed.

The two occupants of the GMC Yukon - a 64-year-old man and 69-year-old woman - were taken to an Elgin hospital where they were both listed in critical condition. Barth was treated at the hospital and then arrested. The passengers of the Hyundai were treated and released in stable condition.

Barth was also cited with several traffic violations, including driving without a drivers license. His BAC was more than three times the legal limit at .27.

A judge ordered Barth held in lieu of $1 million bond. Prosecutors in court mentioned that Barth currently has a pending DUI case in Ohio.

Ohio man charged with DUI in Kane County Crash, www.chicagobreakingnews.com, December 30, 2010

Aileen Beernink faces a potential prison sentence after her third arrest for Driving Under the Influence of alcohol. She is also accused of driving with a revoked or suspended license, driving under the influence of drugs and driving without insurance.

Beernink was spotted by a patrol officer driving with her headlights off. The officer determined she was under the influence of an unspecified narcotic and had an invalid drivers license.

Beernink was previously arrested on June 18 on two counts of DUI and multiple traffic offenses. Court records show she was placed on a year of court supervision and assessed over $2300 in fines and legal cost in that case. She was also arrested in 2008 by Naperville police in separate cases involving drug charges and driving too fast for conditions. Beernink was ticketed in 2009 for driving without headlights and earlier this year for driving too fast for conditions. She is also the defendant in a civil lawsuit filed in August where she is accused of damaging a man's vehicle during a traffic crash.

According to the DuPage County Sheriff, Beernink is being held on $5000.00 cash bond.

Woman, 21, racks up third DUI arrest, www.nbcchicago.com, December 28, 2010

Aileen Beernink, 21-year-old, jailed for third DUI offense, www.huffingtonpost.com, December 28, 2010

32 year old, Cristoval Jimenez Jr. was charged with felony aggravated DUI and possession of cocaine.

Police arrived on the scene to find Jimenez allegedly arguing with another man in the Orland Square Mall parking lot. It was reported that Jimenez had blocked the other motorist and was found outside his vehicle criticizing his driving.

Jimenez allegedly had alcohol on his breath and failed a field sobriety test. His license was previously revoked due to a prior DUI.

Police also reported finding less than one gram of white powder that tested positive for cocaine and burnt marijuana residue.

Motorist charged with DUI, drugs after blocking car in parking lot, www.triblocal.com, December 1, 2010

Chicago police responded immediately when shots were fired in the Logan Square community just before 3:00 a.m. last Saturday morning.

Jacob Vega, 36, was allegedly spotted fleeing the scene the wrong way on a one-way street in a four-door sedan by an Area Five Detective who was in the vicinity of Diversey and Mozart. The suspect continued in the vehicle disregarding stop signs and eventually discarding a large silver handgun out of the driver's side window.

Detectives and 14th district officers curbed the vehicle on the 2900 block of W George. Vega was taken into custody and has been charged with one felony county of Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon, Driving the Wrong Way on a One-Way Street, Driving without Headlights, Reckless Driving, Driving on a Revoked License, and Operating a Motor Vehicle without Insurance. The weapon was recovered without incident.

After further investigation, several witnesses identified Vega as the offender who fired shots from the sedan. Vega was scheduled to appear in bond court on November 7, 2010.

Man accused of firing shots in Logan Square, www.chicagobreakingnews.com, November 6, 2010

Crime: (Logan Square) Convicted felon charged with firing weapon, www.hispanicallyspeakingnews.com, November 8, 2010