DuPage Undersheriff Cleared In Crash That Injured Pedestrian

OAK BROOK, IL – DuPage County's undersheriff won't be charged in a crash in which he struck a pedestrian near an Oak Brook restaurant, according to a police report.

Undersheriff Eddie Moore, who is running in Tuesday's Republican primary for sheriff, was investigated over whether he failed to give information and render aid.

Because of the crash, a few area GOP politicians pulled their endorsements of Moore, who has worked for the sheriff's office for more than three decades.

The crash occurred about 11 p.m. on Valentine's Day at Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse. No one called the police.

Three days later, the man who was hit showed up at the Oak Brook police station to file a report.

The man, a Gibsons employee, was walking to a nearby parking lot when a Lincoln Navigator struck him from behind and ran over his right leg, according to the police report.

The man told police that the driver, identified as Moore, smelled of alcohol. He took a photo of the tire track on his right leg, police said.

Moore's wife, Brandi Moore, exited the restaurant and provided the man with her phone number, police said.

The man told officers that after repeated unsuccessful attempts to reach Moore, he decided to file a report.

Police said it appeared as if digits were transposed in Moore's wife's phone number, perhaps due to a language barrier.

A co-worker told police that she saw the man get hit. She largely backed up his story, seeing the tire track on the man's leg.

She said Moore repeatedly asked whether the man was OK.

She said she did not contact the police because of the man's possible concerns related to his immigration status.

Another witness said that after the crash, the man appeared disoriented and slow to respond when asked about his injuries, the report said.

She said she did not call for an ambulance because of concerns about medical costs.

Both witnesses recalled the man confronting Moore about drinking and driving.

Moore declined to speak with police, instead giving officers a statement through his attorney, Scott Marquardt.

Moore said he was driving from a nearby lot to retrieve his wife at the front of the restaurant.

Moore said he was driving through a dark parking lot with limited lighting when he noticed a person in dark clothing fall near his driver's side door.

"I immediately stopped my vehicle and asked if the person was all right. The individual indicated he was struck by my wheel," Moore said. "He also stated he was OK and did not want the police or an ambulance. Prior to seeing the individual fall, I did not feel or hear any impact on my vehicle."

Moore's wife came out and asked whether the man wanted them to summon an ambulance or police, but the man, who spoke Spanish, declined, Moore said.

"Brandi exchanged numbers with the individual who indicated he would contact us if he had any complications the next day," Moore said. "The individual did not appear to be injured."

Oak Brook police said they did not find probable cause to charge Moore with leaving the scene of a crash.

They said Moore stopped to check on the man and offered aid.

Moore and his attorney did not respond to a message for comment Wednesday.

Moore's Republican opponent, Sean Noonan, said a driver needs to call the police after striking a pedestrian. And they should provide a name, phone number and insurance information.

"That's the right thing to do," he said in an interview.

In 2021, Moore was involved in a bar incident in Wisconsin that resulted in a disorderly conduct charge.

Speaking about both incidents, Noonan said, "If this is the kind of conduct we can expect from an undersheriff, it's clear that he doesn't have the moral or ethical standing to be sheriff."

After information about the crash came to light last week, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin withdrew his endorsement of Moore. So did Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso, who is running as a Republican for County Board chairman, and County Board member Cindy Cronin Cahill of Elmhurst.

Because of the crash investigation, Moore was put on administrative leave. In a Facebook post on Wednesday morning, Moore said he had returned to duty with the end of the investigation. (The sheriff's office said Thursday he was verbally placed on leave; there was no written notice.)

"While I respect the importance of accountability and transparency in law enforcement, it is unfortunate that this situation was turned into a political attack before the facts were fully known," Moore said. "I have always believed that the investigative process should be allowed to run its course without political interference or speculation."

Moore and Noonan are vying to succeed Sheriff James Mendrick, who is running in the Republican primary for governor.