Man, Allegedly Drunk, Fights With Chicago Paramedics

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July 13--A man who had passed out drunk in his car with his feet sticking out an open rear door was arrested Tuesday night after he attacked two paramedics trying to revive him, Chicago police said.

Brian Banks, 32, has been charged with two felony counts of aggravated battery, said Chicago Police Officer Dan O'Brien. He was ordered held on a $15,000 bond in court this afternoon.

An arrest report included with court records lists Banks' occupation as a security guard for Chicago Public Schools.

The incident happened at about 9:15 p.m. on Sheridan Road just off the Inner Drive, according to the arrest report.

Police responded to the scene to a call of paramedics in need of help. When officers arrived, they saw Banks wrestling with the two paramedics in the street.

The paramedics were at the scene after two women waved down their ambulance and pointed them to a parked Acura sedan. Inside they saw Banks unconscious in the back seat with his legs sticking out an open rear door, according to the report.

As they checked for vital signs, they smelled "a strong odor of alcohol coming from the offender," the report stated. When the man regained consciousness he seemed out of sorts, unable to answer the paramedics' questions.

Banks then got belligerent, announced "I'm leaving," and tried to open the front door of the car, the report states. When one of the paramedics tried to stop him, Banks pushed him to the ground, grabbed the paramedic's arm and twisted it behind his back.

"I ain't going nowhere," Banks allegedly said. "Don't make me beat your (butt)."

Banks struggled with the two paramedics, trying to choke one and swinging his fists at both, the report states. The paramedics soon subdued him and held him on the ground until police arrived.

After his arrest, the report states, Banks told police "I was drinking alot of vodka tonight," and "I was fighting with the paramedics cause I wanna go home."

The paramedics suffered cuts, scrapes and bruises, according to the report.

Tribune reporter Jason Meisner contributed.

alwang@tribune.com