Accused Drunken Driver Found a New Way to Wear a Seat Belt

A Homewood driver whose unbuckled seat belt was wrapped around his arm was stopped for weaving in traffic, police said.

Patrick Edwards, 22, of the 1700 block of Linden Road, was charged with driving under the influence, failing to wear a seat belt, speeding, improper lane use and improper display of registration on Sept. 17, according to a Homewood police report.

Edwards was seen weaving in the street and traveling 51 mph in a 35 mph zone, the report states. Cops pulled his car over on Riegel Road after witnessing him make a wide right turn and cross the road lines without signaling.

During the stop, Edwards appeared confused and distracted, the report states. His seat belt was unbuckled and wrapped around his right shoulders under his armpit. Police said Edward spoke with slurred speech and his breath smelled like alcohol.

Police asked Edwards to take tests for sobriety, the report states. He complied but refused to submit to a Breathalyzer. An officer read him his Miranda rights.

Edwards is due on Oct. 21 in Cook County court.

Police report information is provided by the Homewood Police Department and other law enforcement agencies. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions on a given day, and persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If you or a family member are charged or cited and the case is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor. We will verify and report the outcome.