A drunk driver was arrested after authorities say he crashed into a Lake County sheriff’s squad car, injuring a prisoner inside the squad, in Waukegan early Saturday morning.
A Lake County sheriff’s deputy was transporting an arrestee to the Lake County Jail on domestic battery charges around 2:10 a.m. Saturday.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said the deputy was traveling southbound on Sheridan Road north of Washington Street in Waukegan in a marked squad car.
The driver of a Dodge Charger, identified as Anas M. Karmash, 20, of Gurnee, was traveling southbound in the inside lane directly next to the squad car.
Covelli said that Karmash made an abrupt right turn into a parking lot, striking the driver’s side of the squad car.
Karmash quickly exited his vehicle and attempted to blend in with a group of people in a parking lot, Covelli said.
Karmash was approached by the sheriff’s deputy, who observed indications of alcohol impairment.
It was determined Karmash was driving under the influence of alcohol and he was arrested, Covelli said.
The arrestee being transported to the jail for domestic battery sustained a back injury in the crash and was transported to an area hospital.
He was treated at the hospital and released back into custody a short time later, Covelli said.
Karmash was transported to the Lake County Jail and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, underage consumption of alcohol, operating an uninsured vehicle, failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash and improper Llne usage. Additional charges are possible.
Karmash was processed at the Lake County Jail and released on a personal recognizance bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on September 13.