A Waukegan man has been charged with driving under the influence for his role in a three-vehicle, wrong-way crash in Beach Park that injured several children and people in 2025.
John J. Plewka, 52, of the 2500 block of North Jackson Street, Waukegan, is alleged to have been under the influence of alcohol, hydromorphone, and cannabis, while behind the wheel of a Mini Cooper at about 7:35 p.m. on June 26, 2025, said Lake County Sheriff’s Office Chief Christopher Covelli.
Covelli said the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Waukegan Fire Department responded to the area of Lewis Avenue and Beach Road in Beach Park for a report of a vehicle crash with injuries.
Sheriff’s deputies arrived and found three vehicles with serious damage just north of the intersection, Covelli said.
A preliminary investigation showed the 2004 Mini Cooper driven by Plewka was driving erratically northbound on Lewis Avenue before the crash, Covelli said.
The Mini Cooper crossed into the southbound lanes of traffic for unknown reasons, Covelli said, colliding head-on with a 2004 Buick SUV, driven by a 34-year-old from Waukegan.
The Mini Cooper then struck a 2018 GMC SUV, driven by a 48-year-old Zion woman, as the vehicle travelled southbound.
Plewka suffered critical injuries and was transported to an area hospital, Covelli said.
The driver of the GMC and the driver of the Buick, along with three children in the Buick, were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
Lewis Avenue was shut down in both directions while crash investigators worked at the scene.
Investigators from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Technical Crash Investigations Team determined Plewka’s level of intoxication led him to drive in the oncoming lane of traffic, where he struck the Buick and GMC.
Covelli said crash investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Plewka on February 11, 2026, for three Class 4 felony counts of Aggravated DUI, 1 Class 4 felony count of Aggravated Reckless Driving, and one Class 4 felony count of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance for unlawfully possessing hydromorphone.
Plewka was taken into custody by the Waukegan Police Department on the warrant on Tuesday, Covelli said.
Plewka appeared in First Appearance Court on Wednesday morning and was released on conditions.
He’s due back in court on July 8.