Village Building Inspector Charged With DUI

A part-time village inspector was charged with driving under the influence after his car was observed swerving into the opposite lane on March 3, an report said.

John T. Hickey, 43, of the 5400 block of West Otto Place, was charged with driving under the influence and other traffic violations. Hickey is employed as a part-time building inspector.

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Police said that a tan 2001 Dodge Durango was spotted swerving within the lane several times as it drove westbound on 103rd Street from 52nd Avenue around 12:30 a.m. The Dodge was also observed not coming to a complete stop while making a right turn on a red light at Central Avenue.

After the Dodge crossed over the white lane marker to the left side of the right lane before entering the right lane, the driver, identified as Hickey, accelerated and was clocked going 52mph in a 30mph-speed zone, police said.

Hickey was pulled over while turning right on to 99th Place, where he came to a stop in front of a driveway on the 5500 block. The report said that Hickey stared at the officer when asked for his driver’s license and proof of insurance.

According to the officer, Hickey “moved slowly and deliberately as he removed his license from his wallet.” When Hickey did not extend his hand outside the driver’s side window, the officer said he had to reach inside to take Hickey’s drivers license.

Asked where he was coming from, Hickey replied, “a place in Crestwood, a friend’s, and I’m going home,” reports said.

Police said Hickey’s eyes were “drooped and glassy” and described his speech as “mumbled, slurred and difficult to understand.”

Asked if he had been drinking, Hickey allegedly responded, “a couple of beers.” Police said that Hickey attempted to recite the alphabet twice during field sobriety tests and in his second attempt, stopped at the letter “W.”

He refused other field sobriety tests stating that he wasn’t interested as well as a preliminary breath test, reports said.

Hickey was arrested and taken to the Oak Lawn police station where he allegedly refused all chemical tests. The arresting officer said he did not conduct an interview when Hickey asked for a lawyer.

He was charged with driving under influence, failure to signal, improper turn, speeding and vehicle used with illegal activities. Hickey’s is scheduled to appear in court on March 19 at the Bridgeview Cook County Courthouse.

Hickey could not be reached for comment. A call placed to the phone number listed on the report under his personal contact information went to a detective's extension at the Oak Lawn police station.