Oak Lawn police said alcohol may have been a contributing factor when a Ford Explorer crashed into a home on Georgia Lane.
Matthew Thomas Henehan, 22, of Kalamazoo, MI, was charged with DUI and other traffic offenses when he lost control of his SUV and plowed into a home on the 10400 block of South Georgia Lane, reports said.
A police officer heard a loud collision while patrolling the area and notified dispatch around 1:53 a.m. May 26. Moments later, a resident across the street from the home reported a car running into a house.
When the officer arrived on the scene, Oak Lawn paramedics were administering aid to Henehan.
Police said the SUV was traveling eastbound on 104th Street when Henehan lost control of the vehilcle.
The officer observed tire tracks on the parkway where the SUV had veered off 105th Street and apparently continued sliding across the lawn into the home, reports said.
Police said there was damage to the bricks and a window frame on the corner of the garage. The Ford Explorer also had extensive damage on the driver’s side.
After striking the house, police said that Henehan had tried driving away but couldn’t because of damages to the SUV.
Henehan was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center for treatment of a bloody face. The officer said Henehan was conscious when he arrived and talking to paramedics.
As he was removed from the SUV and put into an ambulance, Henehan told police he had been coming from a friend’s home, reports said.
The officer said Henehan's eyes were drooped and that he emanated a strong odor of alcohol.
At the emergency room, a blood draw indicated a blood-alcohol-content of .275, reports said. Henehan was arrested for DUI and brought back to the police station after being treated and released.
While being held pending a bond hearing, police discovered an arrest warrant for Henehan out of Coles County, IL, for using a fake driver's license, reports said.
In addition to DUI, Henehan was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid a collision, driving off the road, and using a vehicle for illegal activities.
Henehan's next court date is July 12.
In April, a man was killed when he drove into another garage on the same block for the second time in as many months.
This story has been updated.
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