BUSTED: Man charged with third OWI after slamming into stopped vehicle

RACINE (WITI) -- A Racine man is accused of driving drunk -- and slamming into a vehicle stopped at a red light.

Jessie Madrigal turns 35 years old on Wednesday, May 21st.

Jessie Madrigal



He faces four charges in connection with an incident that occurred on Sunday, May 18th -- including OWI (third offense), possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia and carrying a concealed weapon.

According to the criminal complaint against him, Madrigal has an extensive history of convictions, dating back to 1997.

His first OWI conviction occurred in 2003. His second occurred in 2012.

A criminal complaint in the case says a Racine police officer was dispatched to the area of Highway 31/South Green Bay Road and Regency West Drive in Racine for a report of a vehicle accident with injury.

Police say upon an officer's arrival on scene, it was determined that a vehicle had rear-ended another vehicle at the intersection.

The operator of the vehicle that was struck told police she had been stopped at the red light on Highway 31 when she was struck from the rear by Madrigal's vehicle.

The complaint says an eyewitness told police he observed Madrigal operating his vehicle at a high rate of speed through a parking lot. The witness told police the vehicle was being driven in an erratic manner -- even driving up and across the curb median planter in the parking lot -- nearly striking a tree.

The complaint says the witness said the vehicle traveled at a high rate of speed through the parking lot and then east onto Regency West Drive -- where Madrigal struck the vehicle at full speed while the vehicle was stopped at the intersection.

When an officer spoke with Madrigal, the complaint says his eyes were bloodshot and he appeared drowsy.

The complaint says Madrigal told police he had had "a few beers."

The complaint says police found empty beer bottles on the floor of Madrigal's vehicle -- and a plastic baggie, which contained a green vegetable-like substance, which tested positive for THC.

The complaint says a set of brass knuckles was discovered near the baggie.

Officers also found a small, glass pipe with burnt marijuana residue in it under the driver's seat, according to the complaint.

Madrigal was taken to the hospital for a blood draw -- after he refused to perform field sobriety tests.