Tree Struck On Bellarmine, Joliet Driver Faces Felony DUI: JPD

JOLIET, IL — A 38-year-old Joliet man who was police say was too drunk to be driving crashed into a tree and parked Buick along the 500 block of Bellarmine East Drive on Saturday night, Joliet police arrest logs show.

The incident marked the latest felony arrest for Carl Williamson, of the 2000 block of Tamarack Drive, who has been incarcerated in the Will County Jail on three separate occasions during 2023. Following Saturday night's arrest, Williamson was taken to the police station in handcuffs, arrested and given a notice to appear in court on charges of aggravated DUI, DUI, obstructing a peace officer and resisting a peace officer.

Joliet police say the latest incident involving Williamson took place around 8:50 p.m.

According to police spokesman Dwayne English:

Officers responded to the 400 block of Bellarmine Drive East for a crash.

Williamson was driving a Toyota Avalon southbound in the 500 block of Bellarmine East Drive when he struck a tree as well as an unoccupied Buick parked on the street.

While speaking with the officers, Williamson demonstrated behaviors consistent with alcohol impairment, police said, adding that Williamson then became uncooperative and refused to remove his hands from his coat pockets.

Officers tried to place Williamson into custody, and he began to pull away. Police said officers struggling with Williamson took him to the ground, and he continued to refuse to submit to arrest.

Officers were eventually able to secure Williamson without further incident. Williamson refused to walk and had to be carried to a squad car, police said.

Williamson was taken to the Joliet Police Department for processing. Williamson was cited for operating an uninsured motor vehicle, driving while license revoked, improper backing and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, and the vehicle was towed from the scene.