Man pleads not guilty to DUI after car ends up in Hainesville townhouse
A Wisconsin man accused of being intoxicated when he crashed his vehicle into a Hainesville townhouse pleaded not guilty in Lake County court Friday morning.
Adam R. Bileck, 32, of Kenosha, Wis., could be sentenced up to six years in prison if found guilty of aggravated driving under the influence when his case goes to trial.
Normally, the aggravated under the influence charge has a maximum of three years in prison, attorneys said after his arraignment Friday morning. However, because of Bileck’s lengthy criminal record in Illinois and Wisconsin, the prison term could be doubled.
Bileck remains held in Lake County jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.
Authorities say Bileck was driving an SUV south on Hainesville Road about 4 a.m. Oct. 25 when the vehicle crossed the centerline, hopped a curb, traveled about 500 feet, knocked down a township road sign, and crashed into a townhouse on the 400 block of Patriot Drive.
Authorities said a gas meter ignited in the townhouse after the collision, sparking a fire that gutted two units and seriously damaged a third in the six-unit building.
The fire displaced at least three families, authorities said. No one was injured in the early morning blaze.
Police said Bileck was not in the vehicle when authorities arrived. But, about two hours later, Bileck was spotted hiding under a pickup truck near the accident scene.
Bileck attempted to run away after being spotted, authorities said, but was caught by police a short time later in a marshy area near the crash site.
Bileck was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville following his arrest but was released a short time later.
In addition to the aggravated DUI charge, he is also facing a misdemeanor count of leaving the scene of a property damage accident.
Bileck is due back in court on Jan. 6.