Driver Hospitalized After Police Find Him Slumped Over Wheel: Blotter

A 46-year-old Calumet Park man got an unusual wake-up call from Orland Park police.

Harry Washington of the 12300 block of South Bishop Street, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and illegal transportation of alcohol, according to an Orland Park report.

Police were called at about 2:21 a.m. to look into a man who was slumped behind the wheel of a car in the area of 151st Street and 73rd Avenue. The caller said the man would not wake up despite yelling and honking the horn.

An officer who arrived found a man leaning forwards against the wheel who appeared “obviously asleep,” according to the report. Police positioned their squads around the man’s car in case it was still in gear if he woke up.

Despite the driver’s window being rolled down, an Orland Park cop was unable to get Washington to stay up, the report states. He would wake for brief moments, look at the officers and then go back to sleep, police said.

While attempting to get Washington to keep his eyes opened continued, police also noticed an open can of Red Stripe beer that was mostly empty in the center console of the car, according to the report. Another unopened can was in the front seat.

Police called an ambulance for Washington, who was taken for treatment at Palos Community Hospital, the report states. He refused a breath test while at the hospital.

Police report information is provided by the Orland Park Police Department and other law enforcement agencies. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions taken on a given day, and persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If you or a family member are charged or cited and the case is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor. We will verify and report the outcome.