Driver Takes Swig of Vodka After Rear-Ending Van: Cops

EVERGREEN PARK, IL -- A driver was arrested after he rear ended another vehicle and was spotted by a witness taking a swig from a bottle of vodka, prosecutors said. Mark Anderson, 42, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on charges of driving under the influence and illegal transportation of alcohol. This is his third DUI charge, according to court records.

Around 3:56 p.m. Sept. 26, Anderson rear ended a work van in the 2600 block of West 95th Street in Evergreen Park, the prosecutor said. A witness at a nearby gas station told police that the passenger in Anderson’s vehicle threw a vodka bottle out of the window and walked away from the accident scene. Anderson also allegedly took a swig of vodka after the accident. The prosecutor said Anderson was seen gathering empty beer cans from inside the car and putting them inside a backpack,.

Evergreen Park police said that Anderson was swaying when officers arrived and slurring his words. Anderson was nursing a dog bite on his arm that he had received before the purported accident. He was brought to Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park, where he apparently refused blood-alcohol tests.

The prosecutor said that Anderson has two prior DUIS, including a felony aggravated DUI charge in 2012.

“I think he’s a danger to the community,” Felice said. “It was three o’clock in the afternoon. It’s time to stop drinking.”

Bail was set at $100,000. The judge also ordered Anderson to take random drug tests should he bond out of jail. Anderson is due back in court Oct. 11 in Bridgeview.