First responders witnessed an alleged drunk driver, who claimed he was the “designated driver,” cause a t-bone crash that left two people injured in Vernon Hills and flee the scene.
Thomas A. Rivera, 27, of Roselle, was charged with failure to remain at the scene of a crash involving injury or death and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Vukovich said firefighters and police officers observed a crash at Milwaukee Avenue and Woodlands Parkway in Vernon Hills around 7:50 a.m. on September 1.
Rivera’s vehicle was traveling northbound on Milwaukee Avenue attempting to make a left turn onto Woodlands Parkway, Vukovich said.
Vukovich said Rivera’s vehicle t-boned a vehicle that was traveling southbound on Milwaukee Avenue.
The victim’s vehicle was occupied by the driver and a front-seat passenger.
Both suffered possible head and neck injuries and were transported to the hospital.
Vukovich said Rivera’s vehicle fled the scene and officers searching for it soon located the car disabled at Woodlands Parkway and Route 45.
Officers spoke to Rivera and his two passengers, who were all three intoxicated and out of the car, Vukovich said.
Vukovich said Rivera told officers he was the “DD,” or designated driver, and that he was driving at the time.
Rivera showed clues of impairment and he failed field sobriety testing, Vukovich said. Rivera refused to provide a breath sample.
Vukovich argued that Rivera poses a threat to the community because he drove drunk and caused a crash despite being the designated driver who his friends relied upon to keep them safe.
Rivera, a convicted felon, was on pre-trial release at the time of his arrest for an armed habitual criminal and unlawful use of a weapon case out of Cook County.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak granted a petition filed by prosecutors to detain Rivera pending trial.
An arraignment hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.