Prairie Grove Officer Fired for Driving Drunk, Crashing Patrol SUV While on Duty: Police

PRAIRIE GROVE, IL - A part-time Prairie Grove police officer has been fired following allegations he drove drunk while on duty and crashed his patrol SUV into a pole in November on Route 31 and Gracy Road near Prairie Grove, the Northwest Herald reports.

Oscar Baez has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, a misdemeanor charge, according to online court records.

A McHenry County Sheriff’s Office sergeant reported smelling alcohol on Baez’s breath following the crash, which occurred around 10:30 p.m. on Nov. 29. Police said Baez admitted that he had been drinking around 11 a.m., according to the Northwest Herald.

The Northwest Herald report goes on to question why local police agencies did not provide information about the crash to the media following Baez’s arrest in November. You can read the story on the Northwest Herald website.

Baez is expected back in court on Feb. 18 for a plea hearing, according to online court records.