Lakewood Man Gets Prison Time For 5th DUI Where Children Were In Car

By Sam Borcia, Lake & McHenry County Scanner

A Lakewood man has been sentenced to seven years in prison after he was convicted of his fifth driving under the influence conviction where two children were in his car when he was stopped.

Daniel R. Meyers, 55, of Lakewood, was charged in April 2023 with aggravated driving under the influence fifth offense, aggravated driving under the influence, obstructing justice and two counts of child endangerment.

Prosecutors said Meyers was driving a vehicle with two juvenile passengers around 10:30 p.m. on April 28, 2023.

An officer with the Lakewood Police Department was on patrol and spotted Meyers driving erratically.

Meyers committed improper lane usage and was speeding, leading to a traffic stop, prosecutors said. During the stop, officers learned Meyers’ driving privileges were revoked.

They also asked him to perform field sobriety tests based on physical observations but he refused. A search warrant was obtained for his blood but Meyers refused to cooperate with the warrant for blood collection, according to court documents.

A two-day bench trial was held in June and McHenry County Judge Mark Gerhardt found Meyers guilty of aggravated driving under the influence fifth offense, a Class 1 felony.

Following the verdict, McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally recognized the investigation work performed by Officer Jake Bardi and Sergeant Kevin Doherty of the Lakewood Police Department. The charge carries four to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC).

Based on Meyers’ criminal history, which includes nine prior arrests and four prior convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol, he faced the possibility of extended-term sentencing, prosecutors said.

Extended term sentencing is between 10 to 30 years in prison.

Meyers’ attorney filed a motion for a new trial, which was denied earlier this month.

A sentencing hearing was originally scheduled for August 1 but was delayed until Thursday.

Gerhardt sentenced Meyers to seven years in the IDOC during the hearing. Meyers will receive credit for 237 days spent in custody awaiting trial and sentencing.

He will also receive credit for 218 days for completing substance abuse and self-improvement programs.

Meyers was fined $25,000 for the offense he was convicted of. He was also ordered to pay additional court fees and fines.

Lake and McHenry County Scanner is a local breaking news website covering issues that matter such as shootings, stabbings, house fires, kidnappings, car accidents, and more around Lake County and McHenry County.