Carol Stream Man Charged With Weapon Violation, DUI Following Chain-Reaction Crash

A 41-year-old Carol Stream man has been charged with drunken driving after police said he caused a crash that sent himself and another to the hospital Wednesday evening.

Daniel Paska, of 117 Horizon Circle in Carol Stream, was traveling southeast on North Rand Road when he struck the back of a vehicle directly in front of him just after 5 p.m.. That vehicle collided with another in the adjacent lane of traffic, according to a Palatine Police Department press release. Paska’s vehicle then spun into oncoming traffic and struck a northwest bound vehicle.

Paska and one other driver were taken to Northwest Community Hospital.

Police said an investigation revealed Paska was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. Police also found a 9MM semi-automatic handgun in the driver door of Paska’s car. Paska had a concealed carry permit for the gun but “it is a violation to possess the firearm on a public way while under the influence of alcohol,” police said.

Paska was charged with one misdemeanor count of driving while under the influence of alcohol, one count of misdemeanor violation of firearm concealed carry act and was issued a traffic citation for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

Paska was released after posting bond. He is expected in court on Dec. 16.