Man Who Left Car on Train Tracks Pleads Guilty to DUI

A Fairbury man whose car was struck by a train when he left it on the track has pleaded guilty to DUI (Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol).Ray D. Lowe, age 68, appeared in Jefferson County Court on Wednesday, February 22, 2023. Linda Bauer was the presiding judge.Lowe was charged with Driving Under the Influence of alcohol (DUI). According to the court, his blood alcohol level tested over .15, which makes the charge a class W misdemeanor punishable by seven to 60 days in jail, a $500 fine and his driver's license could be suspended for one year.In accordance to a plea agreement, the charge was reduced to first offense DUI.On October 16, 2022, at 11:15 p.m., the Jefferson County 911 Center received a call in reference to a vehicle being struck by a Union Pacific Train at the intersection of 4th and C Streets in Fairbury. The 911 Center was advised that no one was in the vehicle when the collision occurred, as the driver had made it out of the vehicle.When deputies arrived on scene, they made contact with the driver of the vehicle and determined he was the sole occupant of the vehicle.The driver was identified as Lowe. The investigation determined that Lowe was operating a 2003 Hyundai Elantra and was traveling southbound on C Street when the vehicle dropped a wheel off the roadway and became high centered and stalled out.According to the sheriff’s office, “During the investigation it was determined that alcohol may have been a factor in the accident. Through the investigation deputies believed that Lowe was under the influence of alcohol and Lowe was placed under arrest for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (DUI).”Lowe was transported to the Jefferson County Jail and booked.The defendant asked for probation. Judge Bauer ordered a substance abuse evaluation.Sentencing is scheduled for April 12.

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