S. Elgin woman accused of DUI, child endangerment after crashing car in Elgin

A 23-year-old South Elgin woman is accused of driving drunk and falling asleep at the wheel with her child in the back seat before crashing her car into a parked vehicle in Elgin.

Gabriela A. Rivera, of the 1000 block of Mark Street, faces charges of felony aggravated DUI and child endangerment, a misdemeanor, according to Kane County court records.

Authorities said the crash occurred about 10 p.m. on the 600 block of Charles Street.

The responding Elgin officer said in his report that Rivera smelled of alcohol, had glassy eyes and that her speech was slurred.

"Rivera stated that she fell asleep behind the wheel while driving (southbound) on St. Charles Street from Bent Street prior to crashing into the parked vehicle," the report read.

Rivera's son was in a car seat on the rear passenger side when the crash occurred, police said. The boy, whose age was not released, had a bruise on his forehead and accompanied Rivera to Presence St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin because she complained of head pain after she was arrested.

Wednesday night's crash was her second DUI charge, according to court records. Additional information was not available about that arrest.

Rivera was being held at the Kane County jail Thursday; her bail amount was not immediately available. If she posts bond and is released while the charges are pending. she must wear an alcohol monitoring bracelet for 21 days, records show.

Rivera is next due in court on Feb. 17 and faces a penalty ranging from probation to up to three years in prison if convicted.