Police: Extremely Drunk Driver Tries To Punch Firefighter After Crash
CHICAGO (CBS) --- A motorist who was more than four times over the legal limit for alcohol punched a firefighter who tried to help him after he crashed early Thursday on the Southeast Side.
Austin Derden, 27, of the 7600 block of South Phillips Avenue was released on an personal recognizance bond about 5 a.m. Friday, police said. The incident occurred at 2 a.m. Thursday in the 7900 block of South Merrill Avenue.
Derden had crashed at the Merrill address and started to scuffle with a responding firefighter who was trying to help him. He threw two punches at the firefighter for an unidentified reason, according to police. It was not immediately known if the firefighter was injured.
South Chicago District police arrested Derden and he was placed in the lockup until he was released Friday. His blood alcohol level was measured at .375 percent, more than four times the legal limit of .08.
Derden was charged with aggravated assault to a firefighter, DUI, driving on a suspended license, reckless driving and driving an uninsured vehicle, police said. All the charges are misdemeanors.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2010. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
