Arthur Vidmar, an 83-year-old man from Joliet, remains in the Will County Jail as he faces multiple charges of aggravated driving under the influence following a serious accident that left a 67-year-old woman injured. The incident occurred last Saturday at approximately 4 p.m. when Vidmar, driving his 2026 Chevy Colorado pickup truck, crashed into the KFC on Larkin Avenue, resulting in significant injuries to the female victim, who sustained a broken pelvis and three broken ribs.
Court documents indicate that Vidmar, who was found to be three times over the legal blood alcohol limit, admitted to consuming a pint of vodka and noted that he had not eaten all day prior to the crash. The blood draw conducted at St. Joe’s hospital revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.282, later converted to 0.238 under Illinois law. This alarming level illustrates a concerning pattern of behavior as Vidmar was previously arrested for a DUI just a month prior, on October 14, with a scheduled court return for that case shortly after this latest incident.
The sequence of events leading to the accident began in the KFC drive-thru when Vidmar lost control of his vehicle, crashing into the building’s stucco wall before careening into a fire hydrant after hitting another vehicle driven by the victim. Reports from the scene indicate that Vidmar was unaware of the accident, stating, “I don’t know what happened; I just woke up at the hospital.”
Due to the severity of his actions and the fact that he lacked any legal driving permit, prosecutors have recommended denying Vidmar pretrial release under the SAFE-T-Act. They argue that his history and recent DUI charge warrant the court’s serious consideration regarding his release.
As he sits in jail, awaiting a hearing with Judge Derek Ewanic set for Monday, Vidmar has engaged the services of experienced Joliet criminal defense attorney Steven Haney. His legal challenges highlight the significant risks and consequences associated with impaired driving, and the case underscores broader societal issues related to alcohol consumption and road safety.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible drinking and the serious potential for harm that arises when individuals choose to drive under the influence.