Riverdale’s Former Deputy Police Chief Sued For Drunken Head-On Crash

The former deputy chief of the Riverdale Police Department was sued for driving drunk and crashing head-on into another car.

Richard Graziano, 44, was behind the wheel of a village-owned Ford Explorer at the time of the August 2015 wreck, according to the lawsuit filed by Hermina Del Carmen Bachez Medina.

Graziano, who was still Riverdale’s deputy chief in August 2015, collided with Medina’s car on State Street near Daggett Avenue in Lockport, according to the lawsuit.

When the Lockport police arrived, they found an “open alcoholic beverage” in the Explorer, according to a report. Graziano’s breath smelled of alcohol, police said, and he had bloodshot, glassy eyes, and his speech was slurred.

Graziano refused to perform sobriety tests, police said.

Graziano was charged with driving under the influence, improper lane usage, the illegal transportation of alcohol and using an electronic communication device while driving. He was found guilty following an April bench trial and sentenced to a year of court supervision.

Medina is also suing the Village of Riverdale.

Graziano, who lived in Midlothian when he was arrested, is no longer listed as a deputy chief with the Riverdale Police Department.

Riverdale Mayor Lawrence Jackson, Clerk Karen Holcomb and Police Chief David DeMik all failed to return calls for comment. Current Deputy Chief Willie Darkreid’s voicemail would not accept messages.

According to Darkreid’s biography on the village’s website, he was promoted to deputy chief in February.