Man Mistook Railway For Speed Bumps: Elmhurst Cops

ELMHURST, IL – An Elmhurst police officer reported earlier this month that he saw a car sitting on the railroad tracks on Maple Avenue.

Patch listed the basics of the incident in its blotter a couple of weeks ago, but received the full police report Tuesday.

The man driving the car was identified as Jose J. Serna, 21, of Glendale Heights.

After being prompted a few times, Serna slowly got out of his car and was guided away from the tracks, according to the police report. It was about 3:30 a.m. March 4 at the crossing near Elmhurst Public Library.

When asked why he stayed in his car, Serna said he thought he was on the street and that the bumps were speed bumps, not railroad tracks, the report said.

Serna admitted to drinking a lot – four cups of tequila and vodka – at Mansion nightclub in Stone Park, police said.

After performing the walk-and-turn test, Serna said he knew he failed "because I'm pretty f----- up," according to the report.

Serna told the officer that the last thing he remembered was being at the nightclub, police said.

A breath test indicated Serna's blood-alcohol level was .18, according to the report.

Serna was charged with DUI, parking on railroad tracks and driving an uninsured car.

He was later released to his parents and given a date to appear in court. His car was towed away, police said.