Backward driving leads to DUI charge in Lake Co.
A Round Lake Park teenager's blood-alcohol content was nearly twice the legal threshold when she was caught driving in reverse down a residential street late Thursday, police said.
Round Lake Park Police Chief George Filenko said four passengers were in the girl's vehicle when the incident was reported at 11:43 p.m. He said one of the occupants was a woman freed from the Lake County jail after entering a plea bargain Monday.
Filenko said the driver, Melissa N. Merrill, 18, was charged with improper backing, driving under the influence of alcohol, resisting arrest and driving with a blood-alcohol content beyond the .08 legal limit. Merrill was measured at a .157 blood-alcohol level, he said.
Filenko said concerned neighbors called police to the 500 block of Ravine Drive after hearing what sounded like an argument coming from Merrill's 1993 Ford. He said an officer stopped Merrill after seeing her driving in reverse down Ravine.
"You've got somebody with a BAC twice the legal limit with a carload of people going in reverse down a street that's not well lit," Filenko said.
The passengers who were also arrested are:
•Tara D. Staral, 23, of 418 Forest Glen, Round Lake Park, was charged with unlawful delivery of alcoholic liquor to a minor. Filenko said Staral was released from Lake County jail Monday. She was charged with four counts of aggravated battery to a police officer in October and entered a plea bargain in the case that led to her release. Staral was sentenced to 30 months probation and 200 hours of community service. Filenko said the plea deal calls for Staral to avoid jail time if she stays out of trouble.
•Sean J. Madden, 17, of Leesburg, Ind., was charged with unlawful consumption of alcohol by a minor.
•Anthony M. Castillo, 19, of 93 Bay Road, Fox Lake, was charged with resisting arrest and unlawful consumption of alcohol by a minor.
•A 16-year-old Round Lake Beach girl was charged with a curfew violation in a juvenile petition. She was turned over to her parents.
Police said all of the suspects were released on recognizance bonds, with Lake County court dates set for Dec. 22.