A 42-year-old Eureka man was arrested for suspicion of driving while intoxicated following an accident on West Fifth Street near Six Flags Road in Eureka that left two women and a teenager, all from Champaign, Ill., injured, Eureka Police reported.
At about 11:40 p.m. Oct. 29, the man allegedly drove a 2022 Toyota Sienna into the back of a 2015 Chrysler 200 driven by Macilena Ross, 36, of Champaign, the report said.
No injuries were reported for the Eureka man. However, Ross and two passengers in the Chrysler – Tavia Ross, 35, and a 13-year-old girl, both of Champaign – sustained minor injuries and were transported to Mercy Hospital South in south St. Louis County.
When officers arrived at the scene of the accident, the Eureka man was sitting in the Sienna’s driver’s seat, and an officer reported smelling alcohol while talking to the man, who allegedly said, “I have been sober all week, but it is not your fault. I take full responsibility,” according to the report.
The man allegedly told the officer he was driving home from a bar and had drunk a beer about 20 minutes before the accident, the report said.
On the way to the Police Station, the man allegedly told the officer, “I have to be honest with you. I shouldn’t have been driving,” Eureka Police reported.
The man was booked and released to a sober driver pending application for warrants. Eureka Police will seek a charge against the man through the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for of DWI resulting in an accident with injuries, Lt. Michael Werges said.
The van and car were towed from the scene, and all those involved in the accident were wearing a seat belt, the report said.