Joliet Home Destroyed, Drunk Driver, 35, Avoids Jail: Joliet Police

JOLIET — The Joliet Police Department said 35-year-old Joliet resident Alberto Avila has been arrested and given citations for reckless driving, driving under the influence and DUI-BAC over 0.08 after crashing into an older woman's house last weekend late at night.

According to Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English, at 11:31 p.m. May 17, officers responded to the 700 block of Parkwood Drive for a crash with injuries.

A Chevrolet Malibu driven by Avila was eastbound on Tamarack Drive approaching Parkwood Drive at a high rate of speed. The Malibu drove eastbound through the intersection and drove over the curb and into a yard, according to English.

The Malibu continued eastbound into the front of the house, causing significant damage. A woman inside the home at the time of the collision was not injured, police said.

While speaking to Joliet police, Avila indicated that he had consumed alcohol prior to driving, according to English. Officers noted that Avila exhibited behaviors consistent with alcohol impairment.

Avila was taken to Silver Cross Hospital by the Joliet Fire Department with non-life-threatening injuries. Avila was placed into custody without incident at the hospital. He was also cited for improper lane use and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, and his vehicle was towed from the scene.

Because Avila was issued a notice to appear and released at the hospital, Joliet police do not have a mugshot of Avila available. Avila lives in the 1700 block of Rosalind Street, which is near Briggs Street.

Avila also did not have to go to the Will County Jail in connection with his slew of five traffic citations, despite causing substantial property damage in the thousands of dollars, Joliet Patch found.

As of Friday, a week after Avila's wreck, the Will County State's Attorney's Office has not filed any formal criminal charges against Avila. For now, court files show, Avila faces five traffic-related offenses at the courthouse, including the reckless driving and driving under the influence citations.