Oak Forest Man Accused Of DUI After Triggering Chain Reaction

OAK FOREST, IL — An Oak Forest man left the scene of an accident after he hit a garage damaging several parked cars, prosecutors said. Eric Budde, 51, appeared before Cook County Judge John Mahoney on charges of aggravated DUI and driving on a revoked license. Budde has two previous DUI convictions, according to court records.

Budde was driving a 2005 Mercury Mountaineer when police said he struck a garage and set off a chain reaction of parked cars. Budde allegedly left the site of the crash. The prosecutor said a witness who saw the accident followed Budde to Independence and Central, where Oak Forest police continued the pursuit

Officers activated their dashboard camera, which police said captured Budde driving erratically and on the parkway. When police took Budde into custody, officers said that Budde’s speech was slurred. Budde allegedly refused field sobriety and breathalyzer tests. Later, the prosecutor said that Budde admitted drinking and taking a narcotic.

“Those facts are egregious,” Mahoney said. “Probably nobody is safe with you on the street.”

Budde is being held without bond. Budde’s next court date is May 8 in Bridgeview.