Repeat DUI Offender Crashes Into Semi On Larkin Ave: JPD

JOLIET, IL — A 42-year-old Aurora man posted 10 percent of his $50,000 bail at the Will County Jail in connection with an overnight crash at Larkin Avenue and Black Road. Joliet police say it's the latest drunken driving arrest for repeat offender L.J. Barga. Joliet police charged him with aggravated DUI and aggravated battery.

Barga's crash on Joliet's west side happened around 1:10 a.m. Thursday.

According to Joliet police:

• Barga was driving a Ford Focus southbound on Larkin Avenue approaching Black Road in the curb lane when he struck the rear of a Kenilworth semi and trailer driven by a 24-year-old Joliet resident who stopped at the red light of southbound Larkin Avenue.
• The Joliet semi-trailer driver was not injured.
• Barga appeared to have suffered a minor head injury during his crash.
• He showed signs of alcohol impairment, and he had several open containers of alcohol inside his car. Barga’s driver’s license was revoked due to a previous DUI.
• A Joliet Fire Department ambulance brought Barga to the nearby Ascension St Joseph Medical Center and that's when more problems happened
• "While at the hospital, Barga spit at a nurse, with his saliva striking her face," Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English announced.

On Friday afternoon, St. Joe's hospital discharged Barga from their care and Joliet police gave him a ride to the Will County Jail.

Besides the felony DUI and aggravated battery charges, the Aurora man was also cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, driving with a revoked driver’s license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and illegal transportation of open alcohol by a driver, Joliet police advised.

The other driver involved in the crash was uninjured.

Around 4 p.m. Sunday, Barga was released from the Will County Jail after posting 10 percent of his $50,000 bail.