Drunk Driver Falls Asleep On Jefferson Street Bridge: Cops

JOLIET, IL — A 35-year-old Joliet man who fell asleep behind the steering wheel of his automobile while in the center lane of the Jefferson Street Bridge early Wednesday morning is now in the Will County Jail facing several criminal charges, according to Joliet police.

Miguel Patino-Arroyo was booked into custody on charges of aggravated DUI, DUI, driving while license revoked, illegal transportation of alcohol by driver and illegal stopping or standing where prohibited.

The incident leading to Patino-Arroyo's arrest happened at 12:22 a.m.

An officer on patrol for Joliet's Police Department saw an eastbound vehicle stopped in the center lane for the Jefferson Street Bridge, even though the draw bridge was down at the time.

"Officers approached the vehicle and observed that it appeared the driver was asleep at the wheel," police spokesman Dwayne English notified Joliet Patch.

Open alcohol was found inside the vehicle, English noted. "Officers were able to wake the driver, and he was identified as Patino-Arroyo," he added.

According to English, Patino-Arroyo refused to submit to sobriety tests, and he was placed into custody without incident. Patino-Arroyo held a revoked driver’s license at the time of this incident, police stated.

The resident of Clement Street was booked into the Will County Jail at 2:48 a.m.