FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
Monique Bond
December 15, 2011
217-782-6637
www.isp.state.il.us
TDD: 1-800-255-3323
ILLINOIS STATE POLICE CHARGE DRUNK DRIVER TRAVELING 11 MILES THE WRONG WAY
ON THE EDENS EXPRESSWAY
Officials Warn the Motoring Public About the Dangers of Drinking and
Driving During the Holiday Season
Chicago – Illinois State Police are signaling another urgent warning to the
motoring public to celebrate responsibly after a male driver was traveling
the wrong way on the Edens Expressway for approximately 11 miles and 10
minutes.
The driver, Sergio Galez- Delira, 24 of Glenview, was driving a Black 2001
Mitsubishi SUV at approximately 2:30 a.m. Thursday morning when he was
observed driving the wrong way on I-94 northbound Elston, until he was
stopped by Glencoe Police at Tower Road.
Illinois State Police Master Sergeant Joseph Stangl had no recollection of
a motorist driving under the influence for this length of distance and
time, and attributed the time and light traffic on the expressway for
preventing a major fatal tragedy.
Numerous calls of a wrong way driver on the northbound lanes of I-94 near
Elston were received describing an SUV traveling northbound in the
southbound lanes of the Edens Expressway. Illinois State Police dispatched
several cars in an attempt to curb the vehicle.
"The driver managed to avoid striking any other vehicles, but this could
have turned into a horrific tragedy based on one driver's decision to get
behind the wheel while intoxicated," said ISP Master Sergeant Joseph
Stangl. "Several callers reported they were nearly sideswiped by other
drivers, and they were fearful of how to gain control of their vehicles,"
he added.
Galez-Delira was arrested for DUI and charged with DUI, Reckless Driving,
Open Alcohol, No Insurance and Improper Lane Usage.
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Driving Zero Fatalities to Reality
