Rosemont officer's routine traffic stop ends in anything but

A routine traffic stop became anything but when a Rosemont police officer witnessed another driver plow into his squad car.

Authorities say the 41-year-old Chicago man was drunk when he crashed the front end of his Nissan Altima into the police car at 10:35 p.m. Friday on the 10800 block of Higgins Road.

Porfirio De La Luz, of the 4900 block of Whipple Street, is charged with felony aggravated driving under the influence, in addition to multiple other traffic offenses.

De La Luz appeared Saturday morning at the Rolling Meadows courthouse, where Cook County Judge Joel Goldblatt set bond at $10,000. He'll have to post 10 percent to be released.

Assistant State's Attorney Katherine Levine said the Rosemont officer was walking back to his squad car after concluding a traffic stop when the collision occurred. The impact crumpled the Altima's front half and caused minor damage to the police vehicle.

The officer approached De La Luz, who he said smelled of alcohol and had glassy eyes. He refused medical treatment and told the officer he had three beers while holding up six fingers. An open case of beer with several cans missing also was found in the back seat, Levine said.

When De La Luz exited the vehicle, it started to roll backward. He didn't heed to the officer's demands to brake, so the officer had to stop the vehicle himself.

At the police station, De La Luz's blood alcohol content was measured at 0.182 - more than twice the legal limit.

De La Luz was also charged with illegal transport of alcohol, driving without a valid license, driving without insurance, improper lane usage, failure to reduce speed, and unlawful approach to an emergency stationary vehicle.

He's due back in court on April 13.