Drunken Bolingbrook Trustee Crashed Car in Romeoville: Cops

BOLINGBROOK, IL — A longtime village trustee crashed his car in Romeoville three nights before Christmas and was charged with driving under the influence.

Michael Lawler was released from custody after charging a $100 bond to his credit card and surrendering his driver’s license, police said.

Lawler, 60, has been on the village board since 1995. He serves on the public safety committee.

Officers responding to a report of a car accident found Lawler’s 2012 Chevy Impala parked in the left turn lane of southbound Independence Boulevard near Normantown Road shortly after 1 a.m. on Dec. 23, police said. The car’s headlights were off, all four tires were flat and the vehicle was leaking oil, police said.

A report provided by the Romeoville Police Department was heavily redacted but indicates Lawler performed field sobriety tests.

An officer administered a blood alcohol content test, according to the report, and Lawler was charged with having a level greater than 0.08 percent. Lawler was also charged with failure to reduce speed and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

Lawler has a February court date in Joliet. Attorney Jeff Tomczak’s firm has entered an appearance on the case.

Lawler provided a written statement:

“On December 22, I was attending several holiday parties. Early in the day, I had taken some medication and thought that I was past the time when it would be okay to have some wine. I had a few glasses over a few hours and thought I was okay to drive home. Combining the wine with the medication caused me to become disoriented.

“I am extremely grateful to the police who were able to assist me. In the process of assisting me, they determined that I had over consumed alcohol.

“I sincerely apologize to my family, the community, and the Mayor and my fellow elected officials. I did not fully comprehend the significance of the drug interaction and have learned a great deal from this. I encourage anyone who is taking medication to take heed of the possible interactions and heightened sensitivity your body has to alcohol and to not consume alcohol while taking medication, regardless of the time lapse.

“Again, I apologize to all concerned for this situation.”

Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar failed to respond to calls for comment.

The Facebook page Vote Roger Claar Out in 2017 claims Lawler was at Claar’s Christmas party at the Bolingbrook Golf Club prior to the crash.

“Tonight we received word that Michael Lawler, Bolingbrook Trustee, and a member of Roger's political party slate, may have had a few too many drinks at that party as he was apparently involved in (a) collision while driving in Romeoville afterwards and possibly drunk,” it says on the page.

The page also references “Roger's DUI arrest.” Claar, 71, was charged with driving under the influence in Naperville in 1997. He was found not guilty by a DuPage County judge after a 1998 trial.

Facebook user “Roger C. Claar” replied to a comment on the post, saying, “No one was hurt,” and “you know the judge threw the case against me out! We didn't even have to provide a defense, the prosecutions (sic) case was so bad. A Bogus charge.”

According to the village website, Lawler is a managing consultant with an information technology services firm and is a former Cubmaster.

The police said they were unable to determine where Lawler’s accident actually occurred.
Lawler’s car was impounded, according to the report, and he left the police station in a taxi.