
A drunk driver was arrested after he struck a police car and fled the scene, leading officers on a chase in Waukegan Monday evening, authorities said.
The incident happened around 8:50 p.m. Monday at Washington Street and Sheridan Road in Waukegan, according to Lake County Sheriff Spokesman Sgt. Christopher Covelli.
A Lake County Sheriff’s Office detective, who was driving a Dodge Charger, was stopped at a red light facing eastbound on Washington Street.
A Nissan Altima, driven by Alan Ortiz, 28, of the 2600 block of West Florida Avenue in Waukegan, was traveling southbound on Sheridan Road.
Ortiz attempted to make a right turn onto westbound Washington Street. He made a wide turn and struck the driver’s side of the Dodge Charger.
Covelli said the sheriff’s detective activated his emergency lights but Ortiz put the Nissan in reverse, backed away from the crash scene and then fled.
The sheriff’s detective pursued the Nissan in an attempt to pull him over. During the pursuit, Ortiz struck a curb, causing the vehicle to become disabled, Covelli said.
Ortiz was arrested by the sheriff’s detective in the area of North Avenue and Douglas Street in Waukegan. Police determined Ortiz was driving under the influence of alcohol.
He was arrested and the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved charges of two Counts of aggravated fleeing to elude, two Counts of driving under the influence of alcohol, no insurance and leaving the scene of a crash.
Ortiz, who also received several traffic citations, remains held in the Lake County jail on a $50,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on November 16.