A Wheaton man with at least nine previous drunken driving convictions was sentenced Thursday to 24 years in prison after being convicted yet again of DUI.
Gordon Vanderark, 52, was stopped last July for failing to stop at a traffic light. When an officer approached his car, he observed Vanderark with his shirt unbuttoned and wearing only one shoe, according to DuPage County State's Attorney Joseph Birkett.
Vanderark smelled of alcohol, had slurred speech and bloodshot eyes and admitted to drinking that night, Birkett said. He had been driving with the car's trunk lid open, Birkett added. Vanderark's blood alcohol level was .164, more than twice the .08 legal limit, Birkett said. Vanderark, of the 1200 block of Bunker Hill Court in Wheaton, pleaded guilty in January to aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol and aggravated driving with a revoked license. Birkett said he also had been charged 20 times with driving without a valid driver's license. Vanderark has been in custody since his arrest on July 18, 2009.
DuPage Judge Blanche Hill Fawell, noting Vanderark's extensive drinking record, said the 24 years was necessary to protect the public. Vanderark had faced a sentence of 30 years. For further information, please visit your Local DUI Attorney.
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