Police in Illinois say that the truck driver who hit a squad car was possibly under the influence at the time of the accident. A trooper suffered injuries in the collision. The driver is facing multiple criminal charges, including two counts for aggravated DUI, aggravated reckless drawing and at least four other charges. A judge set his bail at $150,000, which he later posted and was released from custody.
At around 10:30 p.m., a car had hit a light pole, causing it to fall across the interstate, blocking all of the traffic lanes. Another seven vehicles ran into the light pole. A 26-year-old police officer was one of the people who responded to the accident. He apparently exited his squad car to signal approaching vehicles to slow down. The lights were activated at the time.
At the same time, a tractor-trailer driver was traveling on the same interstate. At approximately 11 p.m., the driver struck the squad car, seriously injuring the police officer. The officer has yet to return to duty. It is not clear how police determined that the driver was intoxicated at the time of the arrest, but common methods include Breathalyzer or blood tests to determine a person’s blood-alcohol content.
Facing multiple criminal charges at once means that a defendant has a lot on the line. He or she could end up spending years behind bars or may have to pay hefty fines. When also charged with a DUI, an Illinois defendant may want to take quick action in order to minimize potential consequences, such as losing driving privileges.