Drunken Cab Driver Hits 2 Homeless Men

Chicago - An allegedly drunken cab driver was arrested after missing an exit on Lake Shore Drive and striking two homeless people sleeping in a park before fleeing early Friday in the Uptown neighborhood on the North Side.

About 5 a.m. the 72-year-old male cabbie was driving a Ford Crown Victoria southbound on Lake Shore Drive when he tried to exit at Lawrence Avenue, but missed, according to a Lincoln District police sergeant.

Police News Affairs Officer Robert Perez said the allegedly drunken cabbie went off the road near 4801 N. Lake Shore Drive onto park property, where he struck a guardrail and a pole, then ran into some shrubs, Perez said.

On the other side of the shrubs, a 40-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman, both homeless, were sleeping. “He struck them both,’’ Perez said.

The sergeant said the driver fled the scene but police gave chase and arrested him at West Foster Avenue and North Marine Drive.

The man suffered a broken collarbone and cracked ribs, and was transported to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in good condition. The woman was also taken to Masonic, where she was in good condition. It was not clear what kind of injuries she suffered. “She was walking around and about’’ after the crash, Perez said.

The driver did not complain of injuries, accordion to Perez.

DUI charges are pending against the driver, who had no passengers at the time.