Monday, Oct. 26, 2009

Sauget fire chief charged with drunken driving in village vehicle

SAUGET -- Fire Chief Roger Thornton was charged with DUI after he crashed a village-owned sport utility vehicle into a concrete pole, according to an arrest citation.

According to the citation, Thornton, 48, was arrested by Cahokia Police for drunken driving after his village-owned 2002 GMC Yukon struck a concrete pole in front of the Cahokia Flower Basket at 3700 Falling Springs Road on Oct. 18 at 5:15 p.m.

Thornton was released after posting $100 bond. He did not respond to a request for comment left at the fire department, and has an unlisted home telephone number.

Thornton exercised his legal option to refuse to take a police blood alcohol test, according to the "Law Enforcement Sworn Report." In a portion of the report where the arresting officer must state why he arrested the defendant, an officer wrote, "Accident, slurred speech, glassy eyes."

Under state law, because of Thornton's refusal to take the test his right to drive will be automatically suspended 45 days after the arrest for 12 months unless at a circuit court hearing, a judge rules that police violated his constitutional rights when they arrested him. Thornton is likely to be eligible for a judicial driving permit that would allow him to drive to work and to seek medical treatment.

Thornton has no prior arrests for DUI.