BMW Driver Sleeps In McDonald's Drive Thru, It's DUI No. 3: JPD

JOLIET, IL — A 42-year-old Joliet man now faces his third DUI offense after Joliet police say Abel Ortiz was found asleep behind the wheel of his BMW while in the drive-thru lane of the McDonald's restaurant at 1515 West Jefferson St.

Because Ortiz was under the influence of alcoholic beverages, he was hauled off in handcuffs and booked into the Will County jail around 6 a.m. Friday, according to Joliet police reports.

On Monday, the Will County State's Attorney's Office of Jim Glasgow charged Ortiz with third offense DUI.

Joliet police originally arrested Ortiz on suspicion of aggravated DUI, DUI and illegal transportation of alcohol by driver.

Around 4:25 a.m., Friday, Joliet police were called to do a welfare check at the west side McDonald's.

"Officers learned that the driver of a BMW appeared to be asleep at the wheel while the vehicle was in the drive-thru," police spokesman Dwayne English said.

He said the officers made contact with Ortiz and "detected the odor of alcohol coming from inside the vehicle."

Ortiz exhibited behaviors consistent with possible alcohol impairment, and Ortiz performed poorly on field sobriety tests and got arrested without any problems, according to the Joliet police.

"Officers located an open container of alcohol in the vehicle," English noted, adding that Ortiz's BMW was towed away.

Bail for Ortiz was set at $20,000. He spent 13 hours in the county detention facility before regaining his freedom on Friday night. The Will County Jail listed no hometown or address for Ortiz. Joliet police said he's a Joliet resident.

Ortiz has retained the services of private counsel, downtown Joliet criminal defense lawyer Neil Patel, court files show.