A former city alderman was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol after he allegedly rear-ended a car at a traffic light, police said Thursday.
John Gearica, 66, who served on the City Council from 1987-91, refused to take a Breathalyzer test to measure his blood-alcohol level after the accident at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, said Waukegan Deputy Police Chief Scott Burleson.
By coincidence Gearica is charged with hitting the car of Ald. Ray Vukovich, who unseated Gearica in the April 1991 general election.
Vukovich was stopped at a red light on Washington Street at West Street when he was rear-ended, Burleson said. Neither man was injured, and no estimate was available on damage to either car. The intersection is a block from the Waukegan Police Department and a police officer witnessed the accident, Burleson said.
Gearica, a former parking enforcement officer for the city, was also charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, Burleson said. He posted a cash bond and was released, Burleson said.
