ISP: Man drove on closed Dan Ryan ramp, then backed up off ramp

A man was charged with DUI after Illinois State Police troopers working a crash scene on the Dan Ryan Expressway on the South Side saw him drive down a closed expressway ramp, activate flashing lights, then back up off the ramp.

At about 2 a.m. Monday, state police were working a crash scene on the ramp from Canalport/Emerald to southbound I-94, a statement from ISP said. They saw a black Chevrolet Malibu drive down the closed ramp, “nearly striking a vehicle” on the way.

“The driver of the Malibu then activated red and blue emergency lights and backed up the ramp, turned onto southbound Emerald Street and left the area,” police said.

A trooper found and stopped the car a short time later on westbound 22nd Street, just east of Laflin.

The driver, 31-year-old Jose R. Maldonado of Midlothian, was charged with DUI and carrying a concealed firearm while under the influence of alcohol, ISP said.

He was also cited for failing to yield to a stationary emergency vehicle, aggravated speeding, improper lane usage, failure to signal when changing lanes, disobeying a traffic control device, improper passing, improper backing, and carrying a concealed firearm while under the influence of alcohol.

His gun and driver’s license were taken away and Maldonado was released on a $1,000 individual recognizance bond, police said.