A former sergeant with the Carol Stream Police Department has pleaded guilty to a DUI that involved injuries. He also apologized to the victim and his family, admitted that he has a problem with alcohol and is working to remain sober, as reported by the Daily Herald.
DuPage County Judge Richard Russo ordered B.P., 44, to court supervision for two years, to wear an alcohol-monitoring bracelet for six months and complete 400 hours of public service.
B.P. must also participate in a victim impact panel, attend counseling, submit to random drug testing, go to self-help meetings and pay restitution to the accident victims.
Judge Russo told B.P., "You brought all of this on yourself."
After being off the job for six months due to work injuries, on the day before B.P. was due back he rear-ended a SUV, causing it to enter an intersection and crash into two other vehicles.
The accident happened at approximately 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of Army Trail and County Farm.
Among other injuries, B.P. suffered a broken vertebrae in his back and torn ligaments in his knee.
The couple in the SUV, S.F. and J.F., also sustained injuries.
During B.P.'s hearing S.F. explained to the judge that the injuries he and his wife had as a result of the crash has left them with pain every day. S.F. also told the judge that he and his wife also noticed how drunken B.P. was at the time of the crash.
According to the prosecution, B.P.'s blood alcohol was 0.337 percent, which is well over the .08 percent that is considered too high to operate a vehicle in the state.
Requesting that B.P. serve jail time, S.F. told the judge, "I have two kids who nearly lost their mom and dad. I ask you to do what's right so it doesn't happen again."
However, S.F. changed his mind – once he heard B.P.'s tearfully say, "I am sorry for the pain I have caused you and your family" to which S.F. responded, "That's all I wanted to hear."
B.P. also told the court that he knew he had a problem with alcohol, was ashamed of his actions and was doing everything within his power to remain sober. Defense attorney Brian Telander, in representing B.P., said that his client was involved in extensive alcohol abuse treatment – that included his completion of an inpatient hospital program for 30 days followed by an after care program for an additional six weeks. B.P. also goes to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings on a daily basis.
B.P. has since left his position with the Carol Stream Police Department, after being an officer since 1991. Telander said, "He's doing so much, but he'll never be a police officer again." B.P. will, through an agreement, be able to collect his pension based on the number of years he served.
After the hearing was over S.F. commented, "We all make mistakes" and was then seen meeting with B.P. alone.
If you have been arrested and charged with drunk driving contact a DUI attorney for help. Only DUI attorneys will know the best course of action to take in a DUI defense.