A pre-dawn two-car crash in unincorporated Maine Township ended with both drivers in cuffs on suspicion of DUI, and one of them facing a weapons charge after deputies say they found a loaded gun tucked in his waistband.
Cook County Sheriff’s Police responded around 2:50 a.m. Sunday, a reported collision in the 9200 block of West Noel Street. Both drivers were taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence. One of them was identified by authorities as 35-year-old Augustus Pye, who officers say had a loaded firearm in his waistband and was later charged in connection with the weapon.
Cook County Sheriff’s Office Account
In a post on its Cook County Sheriff’s Office social media account, the department said responding officers found a firearm with a loaded magazine on one of the drivers and charged that person with aggravated unlawful possession of a firearm. According to the post, both drivers were taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence, and the crash scene was identified as the 9200 block of West Noel Street in unincorporated Maine Township. The office also noted that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
What the Charge Can Carry
Aggravated unlawful possession or use of a weapon in Illinois is governed by state law and can be charged as a felony under certain circumstances. Under 720 ILCS 5/24‑1.6, penalties depend on which subsection applies and whether the defendant has prior convictions, so potential exposure turns on the specifics of the case. Local prosecutors will decide whether to file additional counts or pursue felony charges after reviewing the investigation and any criminal history.
FOID and Public-Possession Rules
Illinois residents who possess firearms or ammunition are generally required to hold a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card, and the Illinois State Police outlines eligibility and exceptions on its FOID information page. Whether someone has a FOID or concealed-carry authorization can affect how a case is charged, but those determinations are made during the formal charging process. In this incident, the sheriff’s post stated that the driver with the gun was charged with aggravated unlawful possession, a charge that typically turns on where and how the firearm was carried and whether any lawful exemption applies.
Limited Reporting So Far
As of publication time, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office social media post was the main public account of what happened, and no independent local news reports or court filings were immediately available. Hoodline will keep an eye on Cook County court dockets and official releases for any updates on charges, court dates, or additional details.
