Drunken Driver Plows Into Joliet Funeral Home Fence, Survives, Arrested On Hit-And-Run DUI: Joliet Police

JOLIET, IL — A 56-year-old Joliet motorist who had was intoxicated plowed his vehicle into the fence at the Delgado Funeral Home at 400 Landau Avenue, according to the arrest logs from Joliet police.

Police spokesman Dwayne English said that at 2:11 a.m. on Sunday, officers responded to Jackson Street and Landau Avenue for a single-vehicle hit-and-run crash. They found damage to a fence at Delgado Funeral Home. The vehicle had left the roadway, struck the fence and fled, police said.

English said the officers located a damaged Nissan Xterra at Parks Avenue and Jackson Street and identified the driver as 56-year-old Ruben Lopez-Perez of Joliet, who had visible facial injuries.

"It was confirmed that the Nissan was the same vehicle that was involved in the crash at Landau Avenue and Jackson
Street. The Joliet Fire Department assessed Lopez-Perez and transported him to St. Joseph Medical Center," English said.

He said the officers observed signs of possible alcohol
impairment and Lopez-Perez admitted drinking before driving and stated that he was intoxicated.

Police said officers also located an open alcohol container in his vehicle, which was towed. Lopez-Perez was taken into custody following a medical evaluation. He was charged with four
counts of aggravated DUI, one count of DUI, DUI – BAC Over .08, aggravated driving while license revoked and reckless driving.

He was also cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash, improper lane usage, illegal transportation of alcohol by
driver, leaving the scene involving damage and driving while license suspended.

Following his release from the hospital, Lopez-Perez was processed at the Joliet Police Department and released on a Notice to Appear in court, English said.