Oak Forest Man Allegedly Drove Drunk, Hit Fence At Brookfield Zoo: PD

LYONS, IL — A 24-year-old Oak Forest man faces a slew of charges after allegedly driving drunk and crashing into a fence at Brookfield Zoo, police said Wednesday.

On Dec. 8, Lyons police spotted Christopher J. McGuire, 5007 151st St., driving up to 100 miles per hour through several communities before eventually going airborne and hitting a fence structure at the zoo.

Lyons Police, working with multiple departments, attempted to apprehend McGuire with lights and sirens in an effort to warn pedestrians and other drivers. Police said McGuire ran red lights as police pursued him, then "struck multiple fixed-traffic devices and traffic lights, veered across all lanes of traffic" before hitting the fence.

McGuire fled on foot, leaving behind a male and female passenger in the car. The two passengers were taken to Loyola University Medical Center, where the female passenger underwent several surgeries for severe injuries sustained in the crash, police said.

Police used drones during a foot canvass of the area, then finding McGuire on zoo grounds. McGuire was also taken to Loyola University Medical Center, where he was treated but released pending approval of criminal charges. McGuire turned himself in to Lyons Police custody on Wednesday.

McGuire, who has been charged 47 times in the past with serious felonies and was never convicted, has been arrested on new felony charges, Lyons Police Chief Thomas Herion announced Wednesday.

An investigation revealed that McGuire had 37 previous traffic arrests, four arrests for assault, one for dangerous drugs, one for obstructing, one for damage to property, two liquor offenses and one flight-escape charge, police said. There were no convictions on record.

"This was a very dangerous situation," said Lyons Police Chief Thomas Herion. "It is disturbing that the suspect has been arrested 47 times in the past but has never had a conviction, empowering him to continue to violate the law and put law-abiding citizens in danger and to damage public and private property."

"It is a miracle no one else was injured in this latest reckless incident."

Lyons Village President Christopher Getty praised the Lyons police department and the other regional police agencies for the work in the arrest.

"Serious questions remain as to why this individual was still able to drive considering his past record," Getty said.

"We are grateful to the professionalism of our police department and the other police agencies who helped prevent this from becoming a far worse tragedy than it already is."

"I would like to commend the collaborative work of all of the officers involved in apprehending, investigating and charging the offender," said Brookfield Zoo Police Chief Mike Pendola. "Thankfully, no animals were impacted by this incident."

McGuire's blood alcohol count was over twice the legal limit, police said.

McGuire has been charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding, aggravated DUI, possession of cocaine, criminal damage to property, criminal trespass to property, driving on a suspended license, leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving, and other traffic violations.

Riverside Police Department, Brookfield Police Department, Brookfield Zoo Police Department, McCook Police Department and North Riverside Police Department assisted in the arrest.

No court dates have been announced in this case.