Drunk Driver Lands In Reservoir: Police Say

NEW LENOX, IL - A 25-year-old New Lenox resident who had too much alcohol to drink this week crashed his car into a reservoir after striking a utility pole, police reports reflect. New Lenox Police officers arrested Anthony Grieco at 4:46 a.m. Monday, and charged him with driving under the influence of alcohol and having no proof of auto insurance.

According to New Lenox Police, officers were summoned for a vehicle that drove into a reservoir near Joliet Highway and Mallard Drive.

"The officer located the vehicle and the driver, Grieco. The officer learned that Grieco was driving under the influence of alcohol. The officer further learned that Grieco had struck a light pole a block away prior to driving into the reservoir," reports show.

New Lenox Deputy Chief of Police Louis Alessandrini later told Patch that nearby residents heard a loud noise at 4:40 a.m. and when they looked outside their window, they noticed that their street light pole was knocked over. When they went outside, they found the front bumper to Grieco's car. They called the police.

Officers later found a large hole in the wooden fence along Joliet Highway. The hole was caused by Grieco's car driving through the fence, Alessandrini said. The officer got out of his squad car and discovered that Grieco's car was partially submerged in the reservoir.

Grieco was still in the car. The front end of the car was in the water, but the back end of the car remained in the grassy area, Alessandrini said.

According to police, "it was obvious to them that he had been drinking," Alessandrini told Patch.

New Lenox Fire paramedics were summoned to the scene. The driver was examined, but he did not need to be taken to the hospital, police said.

Grieco underwent several field-sobriety tests at the scene and officers placed him under arrest, according to police.

The New Lenox defendant, who lives in the 200 block of East Woodlawn Road, was taken to the New Lenox Police Station. He later posted bond and was released from custody.

Mugshot of Anthony Grieco via New Lenox Police Department