While most drivers aim to avoid DUI arrests, one Illinois man sought to impose liability on the police for neglecting to detain him for DUI. Specifically, in a novel argument, he asserted that the failure to arrest him caused him to suffer subsequent harm. The courts were not persuaded by the driver’s reasoning and ultimately dismissed his case, definitely stating that the driver could not impose liability on other parties for harm caused by his own criminal acts. If you are charged with an Illinois DUI offense, you should contact an Illinois DUI defense lawyer to discuss your potential defenses.
The Facts of the Case
According to court documents, the plaintiff became intoxicated at a friend’s house and then attempted to drive to his home. He subsequently rear-ended a car stopped at a red light. An officer was dispatched to the scene and spoke to the other driver, who reported he saw the plaintiff’s SUV swerving. The officer spoke to the plaintiff as well and asked for his license and proof of insurance. The plaintiff gave the officer the wrong paperwork numerous times and provided several different answers when asked where he lived. The officer, whose sense of smell was compromised, did not notice an odor of alcohol.
It is reported that the officer ultimately urged the plaintiff to pay more attention. The plaintiff drove away, fell asleep behind the wheel, and crashed his vehicle twenty minutes later. Chemical testing revealed that he had a blood-alcohol level that was three times the legal limit. He suffered multiple injuries that required surgical repair. He subsequently sued the officer and the municipality that employed the officer for negligence, arguing that the officer’s failure to arrest him led to his subsequent harm. Continue reading →