Man arrested for DUI after wild ride on I-39 in Illinois, crossing lanes, landing in cornfield

MONROE CENTER, Ill. (WTVO) — A man has been arrested following a drunk driving crash on I-39 near Monroe Center early Wednesday morning.

According to the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office, Ahlem Small, 28, of Shakopee, Minnesota, was driving a 2012 Nissan Sentra southbound on I-39 when he left the roadway, crossed both northbound lanes of I-39, and ended up in a cornfield, continuing to travel until the car stopped near the 6000 block of N. Limestone Road.

Around 4:59 a.m., the sheriff’s deputies were called to the scene and arrested Small for driving under the influence of alcohol. He was also cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, illegal transportation of alcohol, improper lane usage, and parking in the roadway.

Small was booked into the Ogle County Jail and then released due to provisions of Illinois’ Pretrial Fairness Act, and given a notice to appear at a future court date.