DuPage Prosecutors: Woman Drunkenly Crashed Into State Squad Car

DUPAGE COUNTY, IL - Bond has been set at $200,000 for a 21-year-old Maywood woman accused of a Sunday morning drunken driving crash on Interstate 355 into a marked Illinois State Police squad car.

Natasha Mister, of 1016 South. 14th Ave. in Maywood, is charged with aggravated DUI-causing great bodily harm, as well as several traffic offenses in connection with the crash, according to a DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office press release.

The crash happened during the early morning hours of Aug. 28 while Illinois State Trooper Klecka was seated in his fully-marked squad car on the right shoulder of southbound I-355 just north of Army Trail Road. He was waiting for a tow truck to arrive to assist with previous traffic stop, according to the news release.

All of his emergency lights and the arrow stick on his squad car were activated when Mister, who was traveling south on I-355, crashed her vehicle into the squad car, according to prosecutors. An investigation revealed Mister had a blood alcohol content above .15.

Klecka suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the crash.

“This senseless crash, as are all alleged DUI cases, was 100 percent avoidable,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said. “While policing our roadways, our troopers have a hard enough job as it is and do not need to feel like they are sitting ducks as cars drive by at 55 miles per hour. If you are traveling our roads and see flashing emergency lights ahead, slow down and move to the opposite side of the road if possible. Thankfully, Trooper Klecka’s injuries are not life-threatening.”

State Police Capt. Brian Windle said the crash serves as a reminder to be sure to take steps to avoid similar collisions in the future.

“The charges against the suspect serve as a reminder of the dangers faced by our men and women in uniform, but also to further educate the public of the dangers of driving under the influence, driving while fatigued, distracted driving and failing to yield to stationary authorized emergency vehicles,” said Captain Brian Windle. “'Scott’s Law,’ often referred to as the Slow Down and Move Over law, is vital in keeping our police officers and first responders safe while they work on the narrow shoulders of often busy and crowded roadways.”

Mister’s next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 26.

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