Lake in the Hills man charged with texting, driving drunk with kids in car

A Lake in the Hills resident has been charged with endangering the life of a child for transporting four children while intoxicated, Crystal Lake police said.

Ruben Rodriguez, 42, of the 400 block of Prides Run in Lake in the Hills, was charged Sunday with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while license suspended, improper lane usage, speeding and using an electronic communication device while driving, police said.

According to police, Rodriguez was driving erratically and speeding when spotted by a police officer at 5:22 p.m. on Route 14. The officer also saw Rodriguez texting on a cell phone while attempting to drive, officials said.

When the officer approached the car, four children between the ages of 11 and 12 were in the back seat. Rodriguez's driver's license had been suspended in the past due to a previous DUI, officials said. At the time, he was issued a special driving permit that required him to use a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device.

The vehicle Rodriguez was driving Sunday was not equipped with the device, officials said.