A Spring Grove man has been charged with driving under the influence for his eighth time and driving on a suspended license for his 14th time following a stop in Ringwood.
Mark E. Friske, 64, of Spring Grove, was charged with six counts of aggravated driving under the influence and one count of driving on a revoked or suspended license.
McHenry County sheriff’s deputies conducted a traffic stop around 6:50 p.m. on January 7.
They stopped a 1999 Ford pickup truck, driven by Friske, near Route 31 and Dakota Drive in Ringwood, court records show.
The Ford had reportedly crossed the fog line several times.
Friske told deputies he had just left a bar after drinking, according to a police report.
Friske’s license was revoked at the time of the stop and he said that he had too much to drink, the report said.
Deputies could smell alcohol on his breath and noticed his eyes were bloodshot.
A grand jury indictment filed in McHenry County Circuit Court said Friske had seven prior driving under the influence violations in Illinois.
The indictment also said Friske has 13 prior convictions for driving on a revoked or suspended license, dating back to 1986. They all occurred in Cook, McHenry, Lake and McLean counties.
Friske was initially charged with misdemeanors following his arrest. The charges were upgraded late last month to felonies.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office arrested Friske on a $150,000 warrant.
He remains held in the McHenry County Jail and would need to post $15,000 cash to be released.
An arraignment hearing is scheduled for May 19.