At about 4:31 a.m. on Aug. 11, a Peoria County sheriff’s deputy spotted a car traveling at an excessive speed westbound on Plank Road. The vehicle reached speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour as it made its way to Illinois Route 116 and into Hanna City. When the vehicle eventually came to a stop, officers made contact with the 34-year-old woman driver who offered to recite the alphabet in Greek.
However, officers noted that she was only partially able to recite the alphabet in English despite making multiple attempts to do so. It was also noted that she had trouble walking and maintaining her balance during field sobriety tests and that she had watery and glassy eyes. Furthermore, authorities said that the vehicle had an odor of alcohol coming from it.
The driver told authorities that she was trying to follow another vehicle, but there was no other vehicle seen in the area when the incident occurred. She was charged with DUI and sent to Peoria County Jail. Authorities say that the woman refused to take a breath test. There were no details given as to whether she was allowed to post bail or had been released from custody.
Individuals who are charged with drunk or impaired driving may face a variety of consequences if convicted. They could also face consequences for a breath test refusal even if they are cleared of a DUI charge. Penalties for refusing a breath test may include a fine, jail time or the loss of driving privileges on a temporary basis. An attorney may be able to provide a defense against a drunk driving charge. Tactics might include arguing that a driver had glassy eyes because of allergies or that he or she couldn’t stand because of a medical condition.