State Police to crack down on DUI offenders during holiday travel season; list of Nov. 1-14 DUI offenders released

From press releases

PECATONICA, Ill.—Illinois State Police District 16 Commander, Lieutenant Martin Zamudio announced that District 16 troopers are preparing for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday travel season. Troopers are encouraging motorists to think twice when consuming alcohol this holiday season, as the stakes continue to rise for those willing to roll the dice and drive while impaired.

As a reminder, Illinois State Police District 16 is kicking off a series of holiday enforcement patrols and an education campaign stressing the financial impact, notoriety, and other consequences associated with driving under the influence (DUI) offenses. District 16 troopers have a zero tolerance policy for DUI offenses, and have made more than 185 arrests for DUI so far this year.

A DUI arrest and conviction not only presents numerous inconveniences to the violator, but is getting progressively more expensive. A DUI conviction can range upwards of $18,000 when you figure legal fees, court costs, income loss, high-risk insurance, basic remedial substance abuse class, Secretary of State and vendor costs with the Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device, towing/impoundment fees, and driver’s license reinstatement. This does not include additional costs involved with a DUI crash—such as medical treatment for injuries or fatalities, civil settlements awarded to crash survivors, and additional legal and court fees.

“We would much rather see people using that money in positive ways, especially this time of year,” Zamudio said.

District 16 has been forwarding news releases monthly to local news outlets identifying the names, ages and hometowns of those arrested for DUI—requesting publication of this information for more than a year. Those releases identifying DUI offenders will now be sent out weekly (see end of article for a list of DUI offenders for Nov. 1-14).

“Hopefully, a renewed emphasis on expense, public embarrassment, awareness and enforcement will help more people make better decisions,” Zamudio said. “The ISP’s bottom line is directly linked to saving lives on roadways—and doing all we can to prevent tragedies before they occur, said Zamudio. As you and your loved ones prepare to celebrate the holidays, please work with us toward this goal by leaving drinking and driving out of the mix.”

State Police release list of Nov. 1-14 DUI offenders

Zamudio announced the following arrests were made between Nov. 1-14 for DUI by district 16 troopers:

Arrested in Boone County: Colby E. Wilbur, 36, of Belvidere, Ill.

Arrested in Jo Daviess County: Andrew D. Young, 22, of Stockton, Ill.; and Kristen L. Zellweger, 25, of Freeport, Ill.

Arrested in Winnebago County: Dennis K. Ballard, 51, of Byron, Ill.; Robert S. Presley, 31, of Chicago; Christina M. Nelson, 22, of Rockford; Gregory S. Woolbright, 48, of Rockford; Alec J. Ramirez, 23, of Rockford; Vanessa Casas, 23, of Harvard, Ill.; Angela K. Poggioli, 25, of Pecatonica, Ill.; Francisco R. Martinez, 24, of Belvidere, Ill.; and Raphael J. K. Libowski, 23, of Belvidere, Ill.

Zamudio reminds the public that troopers work diligently to remove impaired drivers from Illinois roads. All criminal defendants are presumed innocent until the government is able to prove its charges in court beyond a reasonable doubt.