Chicagoist Weekend Blotter

By Shannon in News on May 6, 2007 8:52PM

We were told it would be in the 80s and sunny today. We are upset. But enough about us:

A drunk driver struck an ambulance in Joliet early Saturday morning. 40-year-old Eric Perry was driving drunk in his minivan when he blew a red light and slammed into the ambulance, which was carrying David Powers, 46. The force of the crash sent the ambulance into two other vehicles; a total of five were injured. Powers was being taken to a hospital for heart problems, but he died at the hospital after being picked up by a second ambulance. It's unclear whether he died from his heart trouble or from the accident.

aminal crackers

A birthday party turned into a shooting spree on the West Side early Saturday. At some point during the party, words were exchanged of a heated variety between two guests. One of those guests left the party at 4615 W. Huron, but later returned with a gun and opened fire on his verbal sparring partner. Four people in their late teens and early twenties were shot, one fatally. Police are saying the shooting is gang-related; the perpetrator does not appear to be in custody.

An unidentified man was rescued from a burning building Saturday afternoon on the South Side. A fire started on the second-floor rear porch in a six-unit building at 11006 S. Indiana. The fire traveled upwards, trapping the man on the third floor. To get him out, firefighters used the classic ladder to transport the man to safety. The mystery man, who was uninjured, refused treatment. Cause of the fire is under investigation.

Police discovered a crapload of marijuana on Friday night after keeping tabs on an unoccupied vehicle. The vehicle was parked in front of a garage on the Southwest Side around 3500 W. Pershing. When officers heard noises from the garage, they investigated further and found 115 pounds of mary jane inside. According to police, this amounts to a street value of $270,000. One person is in into custody so far.