NHL great Chris Chelios is expected to beat a drunken-driving arrest after a DuPage County judge ruled Wednesday police lacked probable cause to make the arrest.
The former Chicago Blackhawks defenseman – who now plays with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves – was arrested after a 4 a.m. Dec. 28 traffic stop while driving a black 2006 Ford F150 eastbound on Ogden Avenue near Blackhawk Drive.
Police accused Chelios, who was alone in the truck, of improper lane usage and speeding nearly 20 over the posted 35 mph limit.
But after watching the 15-minute video in court, Judge Cary Pierce found there was insufficient evidence of impaired driving to merit the stop.
Defense attorney Terry Ekl said he will move to have the misdemeanor charge dropped. Outside of court, Chelios, 48, was not celebrating his court victory.
“I understand the seriousness of this,” he said. “I am a responsible person. I have kids that are all driving. I’ve lost friends to (drunken driving).”
Chelios was referring to former Blackhawks defenseman and coach Keith Magnuson, who was killed in a 2003 car crash after being struck by a drunken driver in suburban Toronto.
Chelios refused to submit to a Breathalyzer, but Westmont police accused the star hockey player of having bloodshot glassy eyes, slurred speech, a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and of performing poorly on field-sobriety tests.
That night, he was released after posting $300 cash as bail. His driver’s license was due to be suspended Friday for one year, which led to Wednesday’s summary suspension hearing.
“There’s got to be probable cause,” Judge Pierce told the prosecution, “and I think you’re just a little short.”
The traffic stop occurred about one block from his parents’ home, where Chelios had been staying during his time with the Wolves, who play in Rosemont. He maintains homes with his wife and four children in suburban Detroit and Malibu, Calif.
“The evidence is as clear cut as it gets that Chris was not impaired,” Ekl said. “Police officers have a difficult job, but in this case, we’re just thankful there was a fresh set of eyes.”
Chelios, a native of Chicago, won three Stanley Cups, three Norris Trophies and appeared in four Olympics representing the U.S.
He played nine seasons with the Blackhawks during the 1990s after seven seasons with the Canadiens. The all-star defenseman also played with Red Wings from 1998 through last season.
He signed with the Wolves in October 2009.
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