A Lombard man who claims he was driving to buy a gallon of milk on Sunday morning has landed in jail after he allegedly crashed his car into a 7-Eleven.The incident occurred at approximately 9 a.m. Sunday. Police arrived at the 7-Eleven, located at Butterfield Road and Lloyd Avenue in unincorporated Lombard, to find a 2004 Acura still running in the midst of the convenience store.
After driving into the store, the male driver then fled on foot. Junior A. Espinal, 32, has been charged with driving without a license, leaving the scene of an accident and failing to provide his information to the owner of the damaged property, according to the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office. Using a description of the suspect, police searched the area and found Espinal. Espinal claimed that his car’s brake pedal stuck as he was driving up to the 7-Eleven. No injuries were reported, police said. There have also been no estimates on the amount of damage caused to either the car or store, or regarding what repairs will cost. Photos from the scene show broken glass, some twisted metal, and scattered snacks knocked off racks. The back of the car looks virtually intact, but photos do not show the car’s front in order to estimate damage. Automatic vehicles provide fewer options than manuals when accelerator and decelerator pedals become stuck. Additionally, drivers often panic when they do not receive an instantaneous response from pressing on their pedals. Engine and transmission problems are among the most expensive types of auto repairs in the U.S. Lombard, known as “The Lilac Village,” is a suburb located about 20 miles west of Chicago. |