A man who died in a one-car crash in rural LaSalle County that left his wife missing was drunk behind the wheel, officials said.
The LaSalle County Coroner's office said 41-year-old Dale Shannon of Ransom had a blood-alcohol level of 0.266, which is nearly three times the legal limit.
Shannon and his 40-year-old wife, Tanya Shannon, were on their way home from a holiday party when their car hit a light pole early on Dec. 5.
Police on patrol found the car near Seneca, about 80 miles from Chicago, early that Sunday morning. They said the car spun out and the rear of it hit a utility pole, breaking Dale Shannon's back. He was found dead behind the wheel, but Tanya Shannon has been missing ever since.
Deputies responding to the crash found footprints in the snow leading away from the car and a single shoe they believe was hers.
Investigators say they will continue the search and are treating the situation as a missing persons case.
