A 32-year-old Chicago man was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol after police said his gold Porsche smashed into a parked car in Park Ridge early Saturday morning as he drove home from the River Casino in Des Plaines.
Joseph Richko, of the 2900 block of Sheridan Road, was apprehended more than five hours after police said he left the scene of the crash at East Devon and South Western avenues at about 1 a.m. Aug. 6. Police searched for Richko after finding his vehicle at the crash scene, but he wasn’t found until a woman called police shortly before 7 a.m. to say she found a man with blood and cuts all over his body walking near the crash site.
“He was bloody and had no shoes on,” Park Ridge Deputy Police Chief Lou Jogmen said. “He told the woman he was in an accident and couldn’t find his car, so she called 911.”
As for Richko’s whereabouts after the incident, he told police he knocked on front doors in search of help after he crashed the car and eventually fell asleep in someone’s backyard.
Jogmen did not have details regarding what happened during the crash, which he said was still being investigated by a task force that specializes in handling major crashes.
Police also charged Richko with illegal transportation of liquor, driving without insurance, improper lane use and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. He was also charged with damaging city property after police said they found a speed limit sign knocked over near the crash site.
Police said Richko was not hospitalized for his injuries following the crash. A court date is scheduled for Aug. 22.
Natalie Hayes is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
