Jesus Vasquez, 23, of Round Lake, was arrested and charged after he allegedly crashed into a pole while intoxicated on Route 134 in front of the BP gas station at 320 West Nippersink Road in downtown Round Lake early Saturday morning. | Photos: Woo-Sung Shim / Lake and McHenry County Scanner
A man was arrested after he allegedly lost control of his car and smashed into a pole while intoxicated, causing his car to catch on fire in downtown Round Lake early Saturday morning.
Jesus Vasquez, 23, of Round Lake, was charged with driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license and multiple petty offenses.
Jesus Vasquez, 23, of Round Lake | Provided Photo
The Round Lake Police Department and Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District responded around 3:05 a.m. Saturday to Route 134 in front of the BP gas station, 320 West Nippersink Road, for a report of a vehicle crash.
Police officers and firefighter/medics arrived to find a Kia sedan that had crashed into a utility pole and was on fire.
A utility pole was snapped after an alleged intoxicated driver crashed into it on Route 134 in front of the BP gas station at 320 West Nippersink Road in downtown Round Lake early Saturday morning. | Photo: Woo-Sung Shim / Lake and McHenry County Scanner
Firefighters deployed a hose line and extinguished the fire, Greater Round Lake Battalion Fire Chief Tony Carraro said.
The crash left the pole snapped and the Kia with heavy front-end damage.
A utility pole was snapped after an alleged intoxicated driver crashed into it on Route 134 in front of the BP gas station at 320 West Nippersink Road in downtown Round Lake early Saturday morning. | Photo: Woo-Sung Shim / Lake and McHenry County Scanner
The alleged driver of the Kia, Vasquez, was out of the car and was evaluated by medics, but he was not injured.
Vasquez was the sole occupant of the Kia.
A utility pole was snapped after an alleged intoxicated driver crashed into it on Route 134 in front of the BP gas station at 320 West Nippersink Road in downtown Round Lake early Saturday morning. | Photo: Woo-Sung Shim / Lake and McHenry County Scanner
Round Lake Police Chief David Prus said officers interviewed Vasquez and had him perform field sobriety tests.
Vasquez was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence and was transported to the Round Lake Police Department, where he was released with a mandatory court appearance.
Police officers speak to Jesus Vasquez, 23, who was arrested after he allegedly crashed into a pole while intoxicated on Route 134 in front of the BP gas station at 320 West Nippersink Road in downtown Round Lake early Saturday morning. | Photo: Woo-Sung Shim / Lake and McHenry County Scanner
Prus said Vasquez was driving eastbound on Route 134 when he lost control and crashed into the pole.
The employee at the BP gas station witnessed the crash and called 911.
A ComEd field employee inspects a utility pole that snapped after an alleged intoxicated driver crashed into it on Route 134 in front of the BP gas station at 320 West Nippersink Road in downtown Round Lake early Saturday morning. | Photo: Woo-Sung Shim / Lake and McHenry County Scanner
He said that he saw the Kia approaching the curve at an estimated 35 mph and hit the pole.
Vasquez was able to get out of the car himself when it caught on fire.
A Round Lake police officer blocks westbound Route 134 at West Nippersink Road in Round Lake after an alleged intoxicated driver crashed into a utility pole in front of the BP gas station at 320 West Nippersink Road in downtown Round Lake early Saturday morning. | Photo: Woo-Sung Shim / Lake and McHenry County Scanner
A ComEd field employee responded to repair the pole.
Route 134 between Cedar Lake Road and Nippersink Road was shut down while emergency crews were on scene.
Vasquez’s court appearance is set for July 10 at the Lake County Courthouse.
