911 Call: Samantha Steele Attempted Escape After DUI Crash

A shocking 911 call and detailed eyewitness accounts, reported by Tom Schuba and Dan Mihalopoulos of WBEZ, have confirmed that Samantha Steele, a Democratic official on Cook County’s influential Board of Review, attempted to flee the scene after crashing her car while allegedly intoxicated in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood. The troubling incident, which took place in November, has sparked significant public criticism and raised serious concerns about her fitness to serve.

Witnesses Dylan Roh and Eli Montemayor, whose vehicle was among two parked cars damaged by Steele, provided vivid descriptions of the chaotic scene. Roh urgently reported to the 911 dispatcher, "She’s trying to turn her wheels and escape, but her car is messed up. She’s not going anywhere." These witness statements strongly highlight Steele’s apparent attempt to avoid responsibility, despite severe damage to her own vehicle preventing her escape.

Montemayor detailed Steele’s alarming state immediately after the crash, noting, "Immediately, it was really clear to me that she was under the influence of something." They elaborated further, "Her eyes were kind of like rolling back into her head and … there was a really long delay between her answers." Such eyewitness testimony underscores the gravity of Steele’s alleged impairment.

Further fueling controversy, Steele reportedly attempted to invoke her political status during interactions with responding police officers. According to the WBEZ report, Steele told officers, "You don’t want that! I’m an elected official," and initially withheld crucial identification details, including her full name and driver’s license. Steele’s effort to leverage her political influence during this critical moment has intensified ethical concerns and heightened public backlash.

During the incident, Steele contacted Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton, misleadingly suggesting he was her legal representative. Britton later clarified he was not representing Steele in her defense. Steele’s actual attorney, John Fotopoulos, has since filed motions to prevent the suspension of her driver’s license, challenging the legality of the action stemming from her refusal to undergo sobriety tests.

The seriousness of the incident has notably undermined public trust in Steele, given her significant role in deciding property tax appeals that directly affect thousands of Cook County residents. Local community members and officials have publicly expressed doubts regarding Steele’s capacity to responsibly continue in her role. Montemayor succinctly captured the public sentiment, asserting Steele "very easily could have killed one of the people who could have elected her."

As Steele prepares for her initial court appearance set for late December, calls for her resignation have intensified. This incident has reignited discussions about the accountability, integrity, and ethical standards expected from elected officials in Cook County, drawing increased public scrutiny and media attention.

Commissioner Samantha Steele Attempted Escape: https://www.wbez.org/criminal-justice/2024/12/13/chicago-crime-crash-samantha-steele-arrest-dui-cook-county-board-of-review-police-department-cpd