Wrong-way driver in I-94 crash that killed trooper never had Illinois license
A 44-year-old man who had alcohol in his system the night he caused a crash on Interstate 94 that killed state Trooper Gerald Ellis was never licensed to drive in Illinois.
Dan Davies, 44, of Calumet City had never been issued a driver’s license through the state but was considered a “repeat offender” on Illinois roadways, said Dave Druker, a spokesman for the Illinois secretary of state’s office.
Druker said Davies, who was driving in the wrong direction and died in the crash, has been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving without a license, on top of four convictions for speeding, two convictions for driving without insurance and eight convictions for driving while his license was suspended or revoked.
Court records show Davies also was facing charges of aggravated DUI for a stop that was initiated in Chicago. During the same arrest, he was charged with driving an uninsured vehicle, possession of open alcohol and driving while his license suspended. That case was pending in Cook County court.
Druker said Davies’ home address is listed in Calumet City, so he would need to have an Illinois license to operate a motor vehicle. However, Druker said the secretary of state’s office has never had a record of Davies possessing an Illinois driver’s license.
When asked why Davies was still driving, Druker said, “I think that is something that would need to be discussed with judges and state’s attorneys in Cook County.”