Tipsy Driver Forgets About Loaded Gun in Car, Cops Say

A Chicago man cruising through Oak Lawn was charged with driving under the influence, unlawful use of a weapon, expired plates and other traffic offenses on July 12, reports said.

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spotted a car traveling eastbound on 87th Street going 54mph in a 35mph zone around 12:34 a.m. While following the car, police said it drove up on the median.

The officer stopped the car at 87th Street and Moody Avenue. Police said that the car changed lanes so quickly it almost struck the curb.

The driver, identified as Brandon Daniels, 27, of Chicago, fumbled through his wallet looking for his driver’s license, police said. While searching his wallet, the officer saw a gun registration card in the wallet.

Asked if he had a weapon in the car, Daniels responded that he did not, according to the report.

Police said that Daniels smelled of alcohol and that his speech was slurred. The officer said that Daniels would not get out of the car at first but did consent to a horizontal gaze test while seated behind the wheel.

Eventually, Daniels got out of the car and consented to field sobriety tests. Once out of the car, police said he began swaying and leaned against his car for support.

The officer said that Daniels was breathing heavily and appeared visibly nervous. He submitted to field sobriety tests and was taken into custody.

While searching his car, the officer found a key in the glove box that opened the center console. Inside, a loaded 9mm Ruger P89 handgun was found, with 13 live rounds in the magazine, police said.

Daniels refused a breath test at the Oak Lawn police station, but did apologize to the officer for not telling him about the gun. He told police that he had placed the gun in his car a few weeks before, and had forgotten about it, reports said.

He allegedly told police that he had a few beers after work with a coworker. Police said he changed his story again, denying that he had been drinking.

Daniels’ FOID card was valid, reports said. His next court appearance is Aug. 22.

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