Drunk Driver Asks Police Officer To Blow Into Breathalyzer In Downers Grove: Cops

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Police say a man who was pulled over driving drunk asked an officer to take the breathalyzer test for him during a traffic stop in Downers Grove. The man also had three empty vodka bottles in his truck, along with shot glasses in the center console and a whiskey glass on his passenger seat.

On Jan. 25, Downers Grove police got a call around noon for a report that a man had fallen out of his truck and was "laying in the street" near Brookbank Road and 61st Street, according to the village's crime blotter.

Members of the Downers Grove Fire Department (DGFD) had initially responded to a report of a man who had been passed out in his truck. According to DGFD, they saw the truck heading west on 61st when it stopped and the man fell out of the passenger seat, then got back in as firefighters approached. He then drove off "at a high rate of speed," the police report said.

Shortly after, police found a man and truck matching the description in the parking lot of Auto Zone at 6235 Belmont Rd. Police say the man had a head injury and the passenger side and front panels of his truck appeared to have been damaged.

According to the police, the man, identified as Eric Kulach, 27, of Chicago, said the injury was from a couple days prior.

Police say Kulach told them he was en route home from work. Officers reported smelling alcohol on Kulach.

Per the blotter, one officer asked Kulach if he'd been drinking. Kulach reportedly responded, "No." When the officer asked if he was sure, Kulach is said to have responded, "No."

Officers arrested Kulach, who refused field sobriety tests, for driving under the influence, the police report said.

Police say Kulach consented to and attempted to take the breathalyzer test around 1:30 p.m., but the test was not successful. Kulach is accused refusing to blow into the breathalyzer again and saying, "I'm not going to blow zeros" before asking one of the officers to take the breathalyzer test for him.

The officer responded, "Absolutely not," according to the police report.

Kulach was charged with driving under the influence and illegal possession of alcoholic liquor by river in motor vehicle.

Police say he was released and taken home by a rideshare service. He is set to appear in court March 4.