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Bridgeview man charged after crash closes roadside safety check prematurely

By Bob Bong
Desplaines Valley News

A roadside safety check set up by Chicago Ridge police on Aug. 31 in the 10500 block of South Harlem Avenue was called off after only 30 minutes after a Bridgeview man allegedly crashed into the flashing arrow telling motorists where to pull over.

Chicago Ridge police said they were conducting a four-hour safety check and had two motorists stopped when they heard a loud crash and saw that a red Dodge pickup truck had smashed into the flashing arrow sign directing traffic into the checkpoint area.

Police said the truck continued at a slower speed toward the officers but that the driver ignored orders to stop.

Police said one of the officers was able to open the truck's door and stop the vehicle by putting it into park.

Police said the driver, who appeared to be drunk, then asked, "What's going on?"

The driver, later identified as Lawrence Maderak, 67, of the 7400 block of West 80th Street in Bridgeview, was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn for treatment of minor injuries and while there refused to submit to a blood test, police said.

After he was released from the hospital, Maderak was arrested and charged with drunken driving, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, driving without proof of insurance and disobeying a traffic signal, police said.

Maderak posted bond and was released. His court date is Oct. 10 at the Bridgeview Courthouse.

Police said the sign was a total loss and estimated damage at about $8,000.

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