Crime & Safety

Driver Admitted to Weed, Cold Medicine and Alcohol Use: Police

Tinley Park police report, Nov. 15.

A Frankfort was accused of being on drugs and cold medicine while drinking after getting into a car crash on Nov. 15.

Nicole M. Giordano, 28, of the 7800 block of Harvest Drive, was charged with driving under the combined influence of drugs and alcohol, possessing marijuana, driving without insurance, failing to reduce speed to avoid a crash and failing to signal a left turn, according to a Tinley Park police report.

Police were called to a traffic crash at about 9:23 p.m. on Nov. 15 near the intersection of 169th Street and 80th Avenue, the report states. A red Pontiac and a beige Nissan both had heavy front-end damage.

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The driver of the Pontiac was breathing heavily and complained of chest pain, the report states. Both of his hands were hurt in the crash. He told police that he was southbound on 80th Avenue when a car made a left hand turn in front of his vehicle and left him with no time to react. A passenger in the Pontiac, who also was hurt, told police a similar story about what happened before he was taken to Palos Community Hospital.

The man was later taken to Palos Community Hospital for treatment, the report states.

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Police spoke with the other driver, Giordano, and asked for her insurance car, the report states. She told police the card was in her car. Before police could retrieve it, she said "I want to be honest. I smoke weed. There is some in the car in a small purse in between the front seats." Cops found the purse and pulled out a baggie containing a green, leafy substance. It later tested positive for marijuana.

Giordano wasn't injured but said she was having a panic attack and was taken to the hospital for treatment, the report states. Police followed her into the ambulance and noticed that she had an odor of alcohol on her breath. Giordano said she had two "big" drinks earlier that night and also took some DayQuil.

Police report information is provided by the Tinley Park Police Department and other law enforcement agencies. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions on a given day, and persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If you or a family member are charged or cited and the case is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor. We will verify and report the outcome.


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