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Mendoza is “one tough lady”

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State comptroller Susana Mendoza confronted a man accused of fleeing an accident and it’s all caught on camera. […]

The driver of a black pickup allegedly rear ended a car and caused a multivehicle crash. […]

“We were stopped at the red light when all of a sudden this black big pickup truck barrels through the intersection,” she told WGN News. ‘And it was scary, you know, because you’re there on your bike and your 4-year-old is with you. … A couple blocks down the street, wouldnt you know it, a four car accident.”

Mendoza says a woman in the street yelled for help so she sprang into action while her husband and son headed for the sidewalk.

“I was taping him so that he was being taped and hopefully not try to move his vehicle,” she says.

But he tried to leave the scene.

* It turns out, the suspect is John “Quarters” Boyle, a favorite target of John Kass…

It’s a fascinating video with a bunch of chaotic moments. And one thing is absolutely clear: In chaotic moments, people reveal themselves. And Mendoza showed she is one tough lady. She confronted a certified Chicago tough guy, a two-time ex-con. She warned those nearby, she announced she’d called police, she backed the tough guy down and he finally ran away.

And she made wisecracks along the way, like her soon-to-be-famous “Say cheese!”

That was on July 30, 2017, around 12:30 in the afternoon. Some days later, most likely showered and shaved, perhaps even smelling of after-shave and hair product, John “Quarters” Boyle turned himself in to police.

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s office charged Boyle with leaving the scene of an accident involving injury, failure to report a crash and operating an uninsured vehicle. Since there were days between the crash and Boyle turning himself in, no breathalyzer was administered.

On Friday, wearing an Operating Engineers Local 150 T-shirt, Boyle appeared in Cook County before Judge Stephanie Saltouros for a status hearing in the Daley Center.

You should really watch the video. The Tribune has one that you can watch here. Or, you can click here for raw footage.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 10:03 am

Comments

I’m probably in the minority, but I thought it was actually pretty reckless to follow the guy around with a camera and antagonize him. Pics of him, the plates, and a call to the police would have sufficed.

Comment by Centennial Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 10:05 am
You gotta wonder what “Rollerblades Rauner” would have done in the same situation. Way to go Susana (banned punctuation).

Comment by Anon221 Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 10:15 am
Can’t picture Ms. Munger giving this sort of tenacious pursuit.

Comment by northsider (the original) Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 10:20 am
Mendoza sure was cool under fire

Comment by John-on-the-spot Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 10:23 am
I think Munger and Rauner would look the other way and go home.

Good job Mendoza.

Comment by Real Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 10:23 am
As Comptroller, Mendoza has discovered the need to take responsibilities when needed. She reacted as a statewide elected official meeting a crisis should react.

Being comptroller makes her feel a need to serve citizens and the video shows this.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 10:25 am
“On Friday, wearing an Operating Engineers Local 150 T-shirt, Boyle appeared in Cook County before Judge…”

Subtle JB endorsement?

Comment by City Zen Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 10:28 am
Sure hurt Rauners credibility to bad mouth her

Comment by Ghost Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 10:29 am
I’ve mentioned this here before - once had the op to chat with Mendoza and though I dunno she’d say the same things the same way in a public forum she answered my questions head-on and thoughtfully. Not surprised by this in the least.

Comment by lake county democrat Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 10:30 am
In this day and age, not a smart move. People pull guns on people for much less. If someone cuts me off in traffic, I really try to disregard it.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 10:39 am
Good for you Susana

Comment by honeybadger Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 10:39 am
Poor John he inorder to go after “Quarters” he had to give credit to the Comptroller. What about the cabal?

Comment by Annon3 Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 10:41 am
Being assertive and fearless has served her well, a worthwhile lesson to the other Democratic constitutional officers who have been largely invisible in the Rauner era.

Comment by The Captain Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 10:45 am
After seeing that video I hope they tack on more charges. Heck, the way he is staggering and talking I might go for the DUI anyway.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 10:54 am
Does Mendoza have a “bat in the cave” during her Trib interview? Right nostril…

Comment by Anon Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 11:02 am
Outside some beginning rookie mistakes (it’s not good to anger the Rich), I’ve been impressed by Mendoza. This incident demonstrates her desire to take action. IL is a lot better off without Munger.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 11:08 am
Mendoza continues to make it very hard not to like her. Bravo.

Comment by A guy Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 11:08 am
To the point some people have raised: Maybe this is not advisable for Joe Public but Mendoza obviously holds herself to a higher standard as a statewide elected office holder and cares about stopping mayhem in her neighborhood. She didn’t even do it in a hotdog kind of way. There was no, Do you know who I am?!? It’s the hallmark of a real leader and it speaks to her character as a person as well.

Comment by Sonny Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 11:27 am
wow. in the land of Quarters and Nickels. way to go Susana.

Comment by Amalia Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 11:45 am
Good on Mendoza, just being a good citizen, taking on a mobbed-up goon out on the street. Splendid behavior.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 11:58 am
It’s refreshing to see someone who generates her own hype by simply being herself. Now THATs uncommon.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 12:05 pm
You go girl!

Comment by Barrington Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 12:14 pm
Expand comptroller office to include the Justice League

Comment by Ghost Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 12:25 pm
Great insight via ” In chaotic moments, people reveal themselves.” This is better than any ad Mendoza could come up with to show what she is about.

Comment by LevivotedforJudy Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 12:45 pm
I thought they guy who played Otis on Andy Griffith died?

Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 12:55 pm
Was Mendoza wearing JBT’s bicycle helmet?

Comment by GMC GENERAL Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 8:28 pm
Good on her…

That doesn’t change the fact she’s completely unqualified for the job she currently holds (sadly, an all too common occurrence in Illinois these days).

Comment by Former IL Resident Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 11:34 pm