A North Chicago who was ejected from a rollover crash, critically injured and paralyzed near Waukegan has been charged with driving under the influence, authorities said.
The Waukegan Fire Department and Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 2:30 a.m. on December 17 to the 12700 block of West Crescent Avenue in unincorporated Waukegan for a vehicle crash with injuries.
Sheriff’s deputies arrived and found an injured victim, identified as D’Andre Moton, 35, of North Chicago, that had been ejected from a car.
A preliminary investigation showed Moton was driving a Chevrolet Trailblazer at a high rate of speed eastbound on Crescent Avenue, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.
Moton was approaching Adelphi Avenue when he crossed into the oncoming lane of traffic for unknown reasons.
The Chevrolet drove into a ditch on the north side of the roadway.
The Chevrolet struck a utility pole before coming to a rest on its side.
Moton, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle, Covelli said.
He was located approximately 30 feet from the Chevrolet.
Moton was transported by ambulance to an area hospital in critical condition.
Moton was paralyzed from the waist down. Covelli confirmed Thursday that the man remains paralyzed.
Members of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Technical Crash Investigations Team have since concluded their investigation into the crash.
Investigators determined excessive speed, cannabis and alcohol were all factors in the crash, Covelli said.
Crash investigators presented their findings to the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, which reviewed the case and approved charges.
Moton was charged with two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol, driving under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs, driving under the influence of cannabis and driving while license suspended.
An arrest warrant was drafted and presented to a Lake County judge, who approved the warrant and set bond at $50,000.
Moton remains in a physical rehabilitation facility and will be taken into custody upon his release.