Lake County deputy injured when squad hit by DUI suspect
A 20-year-old Wauconda man faces multiple charges after authorities say he was driving under the influence of drugs early Sunday when his car slammed into the rear of a parked Lake County Sheriff's patrol car, injuring a deputy and himself.
Gaitano W. Lombardo, 20, of the 500 block of Old County Way, is charged with driving under the influence of drugs, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash, and driving without insurance, stemming from the crash.
Lombardo was issued a $20,000 recognizance bond after a court appearance Sunday, sheriff's Det. Chris Covelli said.
His next court date is Jan. 27.
He could face additional charges once the investigation is complete, Covelli added.
Sheriff's police say the crash occurred about 3 a.m. Sunday, when the deputy was responding to a report of a car in a ditch along southbound Route 12 near Russell Drive in Volo.
The deputy stopped the patrol car with its emergency lights on and blocked the inside lane of traffic, so a tow truck operator could remove the car from the ditch, police said.
Authorities say a 2000 Toyota Solara, driven in the southbound lanes of Route 12 by Lombardo struck the squad car with the deputy inside, pushing the vehicle about 30 feet down the roadway.
Both the sheriff's deputy and Lombardo were taken to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Lake Barrington for treatment of nonlife-threatening injuries, officials said.
The deputy has been discharged from the hospital, Covelli said.