On January 29, 2023, at approximately 8:20 p.m. a Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy was conducting a traffic stop in the area of Lewis Avenue and Wadsworth Road, Beach Park.  The emergency lights on the deputy’s marked squad car were illuminated and the deputy was pulled to the side of Lewis Avenue.  Shortly after pulling over, the deputy’s squad car was rear-ended by a northbound Chevrolet Pickup Truck.  

The deputy was uninjured and exited his squad car to investigate what caused the driver of the pickup truck to strike his squad.  While speaking with the driver, Jesus O. Garcia, 50, of the 2700 block of 31st Street, Zion, the deputy smelled the strong order of alcohol coming from Garcia’s breath.

Additional deputies responded and conducted a DUI investigation.  Following their investigation, Garcia was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.  While being taken into custody, he initially refused to comply with the instructions of sheriff’s deputies.  He then complied, was successfully taken into custody, and transported to the Lake County Jail.

Garcia was charged with:

DUI – Alcohol

Open Transportation of Alcohol

Resisting a Peace Officer

Failure to Yield to an Emergency Vehicle – Scott’s Law

Operating an Uninsured Vehicle 

Additional Traffic Violations

Following an initial court hearing, Garcia was released on a $35,000.00 Recognizance Bond.  He is next due in court on February 15, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.