More Krazy Kop antics

By RYAN ORI (rori@pjstar.com)
OF THE JOURNAL STAR
Posted Mar 22, 2010 @ 10:34 PM
WEST PEORIA — A Peoria County sheriff's deputy was ticketed after a hit-and-run traffic incident while he was off duty on St. Patrick's Day.

Darren L. Widdows, 41, was issued a citation for failure to give information after striking an unattended vehicle last Wednesday at Jimmy's Bar, 2801 W. Farmington Road. He was given a notice to appear in court on Thursday after talking with Illinois State Police.

Illinois State Police Lt. Jeff Smith said the Peoria County Sheriff's Department originally was called about 8:30 p.m.

Witnesses saw a pickup truck back out of a parking spot at Jimmy's and into the side of a car parallel parked on the shoulder of Southport Road. They reported the license plate number and a description of the driver, Smith said.

Per required department protocol, the Sheriff's Department called in state police to handle the investigation after realizing the suspected driver of the pickup was a county deputy.

Smith said a state trooper and master sergeant went to Widdows' home.

"He wouldn't come outside to talk to them," Smith said.

The crash caused scratches and a dent to the driver's side door of the car. Damage was estimated at more than $1,500. Widdows' truck sustained scratches on the bumper.

Smith said police typically would not seek a warrant to enter a home during a misdemeanor traffic investigation such as this one.

"We treated it like we would any citizen," Smith said. "If it was an injury accident, we may have gone into the house."

On Thursday afternoon, Widdows spoke with state police and signed a statement in which he admitted to have been drinking on St. Patrick's Day. But without troopers talking to Widdows on the night of the accident, there was no evidence to determine whether the off-duty trooper was legally intoxicated.

On Thursday, Widdows was issued the traffic citation and given a notice to appear in court.

It was unknown if Widdows faced disciplinary action at his job. Sheriff Mike McCoy could not be reached for comment.

http://www.pjstar.com/news/x126578285/Deputy-ticketed-after-accident