Ejected Passenger Getting Better: Lawyer

SHOREWOOD, IL - A young man from Elwood who police say was too intoxicated to drive when he lost control of his car this week near the entrance ramp onto Interstate 55 has hired the Tomczak Law Group. Christopher S. Johnson, 21, was taken into custody early Wednesday by the Illinois State Police after he lost control of his vehicle around 12:30 a.m. His vehicle rolled over, ejecting his passenger, whose name has not yet been released by Illinois State Police.

A police press release after the crash said the ejected passenger was in serious condition. On Friday, Johnson's newly hired criminal defense attorney said that passenger is expected to recover.

"This was his best friend who is going to be released on Saturday. Right now, he's simply being held for observation," said Joliet attorney Jeff Tomczak of the Tomczak Law Group.

As for Tomczak's new client, Christopher Johnson faces two felony charges of aggravated DUI causing bodily harm, one misdemeanor charge of DUI and a pair of traffic citations accusing him of failure to reduce speed and improper lane use. After the crash, Johnson's bond was set at $20,000. After 14 hours in the Will County jail, Johnson posted $2,000 bail, or 10 percent, to go free pending future court appearances.

Tomczak said his client has no prior criminal record. He said Johnson cooperated with police, voluntarily submitting to a blood sample for a toxicology screening.

Tomczak declined to discuss the events leading up to the crash in Shorewood.

"We are waiting for the discovery to determine the merits of the case, and then we will begin our own investigation," Tomczak told Patch.

Booking mugshot via Will County Sheriff's Department