WOODSTOCK – A Woodstock police officer accused of drunken driving in an off-duty crash in February that knocked over a utility pole in Round Lake Beach has left the department.

Officer Michael E. Niedzwiecki resigned from his position March 22, Woodstock Police Chief John Lieb said.

Niedzwiecki was placed on administrative leave Feb. 23 after being on “allocated benefit time.” He was hired by the department in March 2012 and was assigned to the department’s patrol division.

“In light of his situation, he thought that it was best for himself and the city of Woodstock if he pursued other career interests,” Lieb said in an email. “The city wishes the best for him and his family as they begin the next chapter of their lives.”

Niedzwiecki, 29, of Lake Villa was charged Feb. 15 with driving under the influence of alcohol and cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

Round Lake Beach police officers responded at 1:49 a.m. Feb. 11 for a report of a crash at North Hainesville and East Clarendon roads.

Officers arrived at the scene and saw a truck off the road with heavy damage and covered in downed power lines.

Niedzwiecki told police officers he was driving north on Hainesville Road approaching Rollins Road with his wife and he “forgot” that Hainesville Road curved sharply to the left. He drove off the road and crashed into a telephone pole and a highway marker sign, according to a police report.

“I knew that curve was there, I just forgot about that curve,” Niedzwiecki told the officers, according to the report.

Police said Niedzwiecki was slurring his words, and officers noted they could smell a “strong odor of an alcoholic beverage,” according to the report. His eyes also were glassy and bloodshot, and he identified himself as a police officer by displaying his badge. Niedzwiecki and his wife both declined medical attention at the scene.

Niedzwiecki refused field sobriety tests, and he was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. He also refused to submit to a breath sample while at the police station, according to the report.

Preliminary investigations indicated that Niedzwiecki was driving faster than the posted 30 mph speed limit and at a speed more than necessary to maintain control of the vehicle on the curve, according to the report.

He will next appear April 20 in Lake County Court.

DOCUMENTS: Round Lake Beach Police arrest report for Michael E. Niedzwiecki.