Officer Catches Drunk Driver From Falling During Sobriety Test: Blotter

An Orland Park man is facing drunk driving charges after police saw him swerving between lanes, as did witnesses, according to an Orland Park police report.

Patrick J. Sweeney, 76 of the 13900 block of 88th Avenue in Orland Park, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving an uninsured vehicle and improper lane use.

On Nov. 1, police were called about a black SUV “driving all over the roadway” at 143rd Street and LaGrange Road around 8:15 p.m. Witnesses said the SUV was changing lanes without signaling and swerving, while nearby cars honked at the vehicle to alert the driver, according to the report. Police then saw the SUV turn north on 88th Avenue from 143rd Street and pulled it over.

Sweeney, the driver, took several minutes to find his driver’s license, couldn’t find proof of insurance, slurred and mumbled while talking and his breath smelled like alcohol, police said.

Sweeney staggered and stumbled while walking toward the rear of the SUV, and an officer had to catch him to keep him from falling, police said. He then failed other field sobriety tests and refused to take a Breathalyzer test.

Police blotter information is provided by the Orland Park Police Department. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions taken on a given day, and persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If you or a family member are charged or cited and the case is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor. We will verify and report the outcome.

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