Two Palatine Police officers were conducting a traffic stop on a vehicle westbound on Lake Cook Road near Rand Road on Thursday, August 21, 2025, just after 11:00 p.m. While the police officer speaking with the occupants of the stopped vehicle, and were outside of their police squad car with the emergency lights activated, the driver of a 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ, traveling westbound, struck the rear of the police vehicle. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Immediately after the crash, the Palatine police officers made contact with the driver of the Cadillac. The driver was identified as 36-year-old James C. Argianas, of the block of 500 West Ruhl Road in Palatine. Police officers observed signs of impairment, and Argianas admitted to consuming alcohol prior to the crash. He was subsequently arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI).
At the Palatine Police Department, Argianas provided a breath sample that revealed a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) nearly three times the legal limit.
James C. Argianas was charged with:
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (Class A Misdemeanor)
Driving Under the Influence – Alcohol concentration in breath .08 or more (Class A Misdemeanor)
Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident (Petty Offense)
Failure to Yield to an Emergency Vehicle – Move Over Law (Petty Offense)
Argianas was released, and is scheduled to appear in court on September 19, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in Room 101 of the Cook County 3rd District Courthouse in Rolling Meadows.
The Palatine Police Department reminds all motorists that Illinois’ Move Over Law—commonly known as “Scott’s Law”—requires drivers to slow down, change lanes, and proceed with caution when approaching any emergency or maintenance vehicle with flashing lights activated. Drivers must also yield the right-of-way to any authorized vehicle or pedestrian engaged in work on a roadway or construction zone.
Violating the Move Over Law is a serious offense. A first-time violation carries a fine of $250 to $10,000. If the violation results in injury to another person, the violator’s driver’s license will be suspended for six months to two years.
The Palatine Police Department urges all motorists to drive responsibly, designate a sober driver, and always move over for emergency vehicles to protect the lives of first responders and the public.
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