South Suburban DUI Arrests, Oct. 27

HOMEWOOD

Oct. 19: A Chicago driver who told police she drank one beer is accused of having a blood-alcohol level more than twice the legal limit.

Tanisha Ross, 37, of the 9600 block of Luella, Chicago, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, DUI with a BAL greater than 0.08, improper lane use and failing to signal, according to a Homewood police report.

Police spotted a white 1995 Chevy at about 11:55 p.m. straddling the road lines near the intersection of Ridge and Riegel roads, the report states. The driver was partially in a left-hand turn lane before leaving and made a right-hand turn without signaling. Police performed a traffic stop in the 1500 block of Ridge Road.

The driver, Ross, had bloodshot eyes and a strong smell of alcohol on her breath, the report states. She told police she drank one bottle of Miller High Life beer. Police asked to her perform tests for sobriety, after which she was arrested. While at the Homewood police station, Ross took a breath test that resulted in a 0.168 BAL, the report states. She was released later on bond and is due on Dec. 11 in Markham court.

Oct. 18: A driver from Hazel Crest who was drinking with buddies is accused of multiple counts of driving under the influence.

Joshua Miller, 27, of the 3600 block of Birchwood, was charged with aggravated driving under the influence, DUI, DUI with a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.08, speeding and no proof of insurance, according to a Homewood police report. Cops spotted a car traveling 56 mph in a 45 mph zone while northbound on Kedzie Avenue, the report states. The car was pulled over at about 12:17 a.m. in the 18200 block of Kedzie. After speaking with the driver, Miller, an officer could smell an odor of alcohol on his breath.

Miller told police that he did not have a license after police asked repeatedly for it, the report states. A search showed Miller’s license had been revoked for a previous DUI. Around the same time, an officer noticed several unopened cans of beer in the vehicle. Police arrested Miller after he failed tests for sobriety, the report states. While at the station, Miller took a breath test that resulted in a BAL of 0.102. When questioned, he told police that he had 3-4 beers while drinking with friends in Park Forest. Miller was charged with aggravated DUI because he was driving on the suspended license, the report states. He was taken to Markham courthouse for a bond appearance later that day.

ORLAND PARK

Oct. 7: A call from a concerned driver lead to drunken driving charges for a Lemont man who crashed into a concrete barrier.

Glenn E. Vanhowe, 61, of the 400 block of Illinois Street, Lemont, was charged with driving under the influence, DUI with a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.08, failing to reduce speed to avoid a crash and improper lane use, according to an Orland Park police report.

Police received a call at about 2:15 a.m. from person who was following a car that was swerving in and out of his lane and had struck the curb several times, the report states. A cop caught up with the car in the 14200 block of LaGrange Road, the report states. The car continued and drifted over a dirt patch off the road before crashing into a concrete barricade.

Police said the driver, Vanhowe, was unaware he had crashed into the barricade, claiming he "took the wrong turn or something," the report states. An officer could smell alcohol on the driver's breath, the report states. Vanhowe said he got off of work a few hours before the crash. He was asked to perform tests for sobriety, during which he almost fell over and was unable to stand on one leg. Cops arrested Vanhowe and impounded his car. While in custody, he took a breath test. Vanhowe is due on Oct. 31 in Bridgeview court.

Oct. 6: A Tennessee woman accused of a hit-and-run crash in Will County also faces drunken driving charges from Orland Park.

Laura A. Faron, 44, of the 2600 block of Chambliss Road, Pleasant View, TN, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving under the influence of drugs and improper lane use, according to an Orland Park police report

Police spotted a silver Jeep crossing into the oncoming lane at about 1:20 a.m. in the 10100 block of 159th Street, the report states. An officer who pulled over the Jeep knocked on the window, getting the driver's attention. The driver, Faron, held down the button to open the window longer than necessary and had a strong odor of alcohol coming from her.

When asked by police, Faron handed over her driver's license and emissions paperwork, believing that it was her insurance card, the report states.

During the stop, police noticed that the jeep had front end damage and had learned there was a reported hit-and-run crash by Will County Sheriff's police, the report states. Deputies confirmed that Faron's Jeep was involved in the crash. Orland Park police asked Faron to perform tests for sobriety, which she failed, the report states. Cops searched Faron's Jeep after taking her into custody and found prescription bottles for hydrocodone and alprazolam. Faron is due on Oct. 31 in Bridgeview court.

TINLEY PARK

Oct. 19: A strong urge to urinate was the motivation for an accused drunken driver from Tinley Park to run a red light in front of a cop, according to a report.

Karen A. Kozicki, 33, of the 17200 block of Oconto Avenue, was charged with driving under the influence, DUI with a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.08, disobeying a traffic control device and driving in the wrong lane, according to a Tinley Park police report.

A Tinley Park cop was approaching the intersection of 171st Street and Harlem Avenue at about 12:33 a.m. when the officer saw a dark-colored SUV blow through a red light, the report states. The officer followed, turning on the emergency lights. Police said the SUV kept driving and, eventually, turned into a driveway on Oconto Avenue.

The driver, Kozicki, got out of the car and told the officer, who asked why she was driving recklessly, that she had to "pee and was trying to get home," the report states. Police said she slurred her speech and had a strong odor of alcohol on her breath. Kozicki drank a few beers than night while dancing at a Tinley Park establishment, she told police.

Police asked Kozicki to take tests for sobriety, during which she had trouble keeping her balance, the report states. She was arrested after police determined she had failed the tests.

While in police custody, Kozicki took a breath test that resulted in a 0.157 BAL, the report states. After being charged, she was later released on bond.

EVERGREEN PARK

Oct. 12: A Chicago woman is accused of drunken driving after running a red light and crashing into another car.

Vivian Martinez, 25, of the 4000 block of West 25th Place, was charged with disobeying a red light, driving without proof of insurance, driving with a suspended license, damage to vehicle property, having an open container of alcohol and driving under the influence of prescription drugs, according to an Evergreen Park police report.

Martinez, a passenger in her car and the second driver in the crash, which happened at about 11:59 a.m. at the intersection of 93rd and Pulaski, were hospitalized, the report states. A witness told police Martinez ran a red light and hit the other car. Following the crash, police noticed an open 12 oz beer can in the front seat.

WILL COUNTY

Oct. 11: Heide Corsi, 47, of the 21200 block of South 79th Avenue, Frankfort, was charged with driving under the influence, illegally transporting alcohol, improper lane use and failing to reduce speed to avoid a crash, according to a Will County report. She was arrested near the intersection of South Frankfort Square and West North Avenue.

FRANKFORT

Oct. 12: Stefanie Ventura, 61, of the 1200 block of Goldenrod Lane, Hoffman Estates, was charged with driving under the influence, DUI with a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.08 and improper lane use, according to a report. She was arrested at about 10:30 p.m. in the 20500 block of LaGrange Road. Police later released her on bond.

Oct. 8: Kathleen B. Kelly, 61, of the 9100 block of West Sauk Trail, Frankfort, 61, was charged with driving under the influence, DUI with a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.08 and failing to carry a driver’s license, according to a report. She was arrested at about 7:35 p.m. near the intersection of South Center and Corsair. Kelly was released on bond and is due on Nov. 6 in Will County court.

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Police report information is provided by local police departments. 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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