Here are some really good reasons for a 22-year-old man not to be out on the streets at 4:00AM on a Saturday. Was he trying to crash into rock-and-roll stardom? The Northwest Herald reported this morning that Noe Rodriguez, 22, crashed his car into a building on a Woodstock corner on July 30th.Saying "The building ran out in front of me" probably wouldn't have worked, when Woodstock Police showed up at the former home of Rock Star Music Academy, on the northwest corner of Route 47 and Judd Street.
More good reasons not to be out on the streets behind the wheel include
1. Suspended driver's license
2. Suspended registration (license plates)
3. Driving under the influence of alcohol
4. Illegally transporting alcohol
Of course, these are all "just" charges, and Noe Rodriguez, 22, of Woodstock, is innocent until found guilty. But what part of "responsibility" does Rodriguez not understand?
Rodriguez was charged on June 1, 2011, by Huntley Police with driving on a suspended license. His attorney, Mario J. Perez, has asked for a jury trial. That case was in court yesterday (August 2), and the next status date in court is August 15.
Rodriguez' earlier traffic charges do not show in McHenry County Circuit Court online records. Did he just move to McHenry County? Where were the charges filed that resulted in the suspension of his driver's license and license plates?
Rodriguez (misspelled as "Rodrigeuz" in court records (to be corrected)) was scheduled to appear this morning on a bond hearing, and his next court date on the charges will be September 1 at 8:30AM for a plea.
5 comments:
How about motor vehicle insurance?
As we both know, many drivers can present an Insurance Card. Whether or not the policy is in force is another question.
Hopefully, Woodstock PD is calling the agent or the company to confirm that any insurance was actually in force at the time of the crash.
That's an excellent solution, Gus. Have an accident after business hours and present your insurance card and then have the police hold your driver's license or you until the carrier opens up shop and will confirm that the policy is still in effect. We could do the same thing with your legally carried firearm. Felons cannot have a firearm and maybe they could just fingerprint you to make absolutely sure that you've never been convicted of a crime that would bar possession.
Steve, who said anything about an "after-hours" accidents.
Drivers buy insurance, pay a month's premium, get the Insurance Card that shows an expiration date 6-12 months in the future, and then let the policy lapse when they don't pay the next premium.
Then, when they have a wreck, they show the cop the Insurance Card, which displays a valid period of insurance, EXCEPT the underlying policy is not in force.
Do cops check the next business day by contacting the agent or insurance company? They could, but I doubt they do.
I think the DMV and insurance co. computers should be linked to alert the DMV when an owner drops his policy. A letter with a 2-week response date could be generated. Then ISP goes out and removes the plates. Insurance compliance would go way up.
Except for the fact that they find out about soon enough if there is no insurance and can take action after the fact. Why impose more work on the police and insurance companies than they already have. Somebody has to pay for this. Further, the Illinois State Police don't go out and grab plates, that's the Secretary of State's job.
Nobody is going to call around checking with agents to see if policies are in effect. Chances are the agent doesn't even know. The company would but they are no considered financial institutions and the insured's records are considered financial in nature. Thus, under federal law - think it may be Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act - they are off-limits without subpoena or permission of the insured.
Again, great ideas but little or no thought given by you as to what is actually involved and what is actually permitted under the law.
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