Joliet Drunken Driver Crashed Into Bar On Hickory Street With 3 Young Children In His Car: Joliet Police

JOLIET, IL — William Wiedman, a 30-year-old Joliet resident, crashed into the Los Gavenos tavern at 1101 N. Hickory St. ust before dinner time on Sunday with three small children inside his vehicle, according to Joliet police.

As it turned out, Wiedman was intoxicated, and he had a revoked license, according to the Joliet police arrest logs. The list of criminal charges is voluminous. Wiedman was charged with:

• Aggravated DUI
• 2 counts of Aggravated Battery to a Peace Officer
• Aggravated Assault
• 3 counts of Domestic Battery
• 3 counts of Endangering the Life or Health of a Child
• Resisting/Obstructing a Peace Officer.

He was also cited for:

• Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid a Crash
• Driving While License Revoked
• No Insurance
• 3 counts of No Child Restraints

According to Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English, at 4:46 p.m. Sunday, officers responded to Hutchinson Street and North Hickory Street for a single-vehicle crash. A Kia Forte struck the building of Los Gavenos at 1101 N. Hickory St., causing minor damage.

Wiedman was traveling with his three children, a 7-year-old boy and two girls, ages 5 and 6. One of the children sustained a laceration to her head, according to police.

"Wiedman was observed acting erratically, which was distressing the children and interfering with emergency medical care. Due to his behavior, officers and Joliet Fire Department paramedics separated him from the children so they could be properly treated," English announced.

English said that all three children were transported to Saint Joseph Medical Center for a medical evaluation.

"During the investigation, officers received information that Wiedman had allegedly been seen striking the children at a nearby park in the area of North Hickory and Granite Street before leaving in the vehicle," English said. "While on scene, Wiedman became increasingly agitated and struck a squad car. Officers attempted to calm him, but he continued to be combative and was taken into custody following a brief struggle, during which he resisted and kicked officers. Officers also observed signs of alcohol impairment, and Wiedman made statements indicating he had been drinking."

Wiedman was processed at the Joliet Police Department and transported to the Will County Adult Detention Facility. His children were released into the care of extended family, English said.

Wiedman lives in the 600 block of North Hickory Street — just down the street from the bar that he crashed his car into, according to the jail logs.