Bond set at $100,000 for Chicago woman charged with 6th DUI

Bond was set Saturday for a Chicago woman accused of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol – sixth offense.

Wanda Richardson, 52, of the 200 block of North Keeler Avenue, appeared in DuPage County Bond Court where Judge Michael Fleming set bond at $100,000. The state had asked for a bond of $250,000.

In addition to the DUI charge, Richardson has also been charged with one count of driving while license revoked and several misdemeanor traffic offenses. Richardson is currently on parole for a 2015 aggravated DUI, according to a DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office news release.

On March 26, at about 6:56 p.m., Naperville police saw a car attempt to make an illegal U-turn at the intersection of Bond Street and Diehl Road where there is a sign that indicates no U-turn allowed.

Additionally, the driver was observed pulling her seatbelt from the rested position and across her body in an attempt to buckle the unbuckled seat belt. Based upon the above observations, a traffic stop was initiated. Upon making contact with the driver, police observed that the driver allegedly had bloodshot and glassy eyes, slow and slurred speech and was emitting a strong odor of alcohol, according to the release.

Police initiated field sobriety tests after which Richardson was taken into custody. A search of Richardson’s vehicle allegedly yielded an open bottle of vodka in the front passenger seat approximately two-thirds empty.

“It is alleged that after multiple DUI convictions and while on parole for a DUI, Wanda Richardson once again, thumbed her nose at the law and put the public at risk for a sixth time when she got behind the wheel of a car last weekend,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in the release. “Her alleged actions show a complete contempt for the rule of law and consequently, she is now looking at a possible prison term of up to thirty years behind bars if convicted.

“People have got to understand that driving is a privilege, not a right and with ride-sharing services at your fingertips, there is no reason whatsoever that anyone should get behind the wheel of a car if they have been drinking.”

“Drunk driving enforcement continues to be a top priority of the Naperville Police Department to keep our roadways safe,” Naperville Chief of Police Robert Marshall said in a statement. “Impaired drivers need to be held accountable and taken off the streets to avoid potential tragedies. I appreciate the efforts of the officers involved in this incident for taking the appropriate enforcement action in tandem with the DuPage County States Attorney’s Office.”

Richardson’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 19.