Racine woman charged, accused of driving drunk and crashing into home, starting fire

RACINE COUNTY -- A Racine woman has been criminally charged, accused of driving drunk, and crashing her vehicle into a home on Victory Avenue -- causing a fire.

Michelle Kirchoff

The accused is 48-year-old Michelle Kirchoff of Racine, who is facing one count of causing injury/operating while intoxicated and first degree recklessly endangering safety.

According to the criminal complaint, on April 16th, shortly before 2:00 a.m., police responded to the area near Victory Avenue and Connolly Avenue for a report of a vehicle that had struck a home and started a fire.

Officers noted that the home was engulfed in flames.

Police made contact with Kirchoff at the scene, along with another individual who was with her. The complaint indicates both of them appeared intoxicated and were slurring their words.

The person with Kirchoff indicated his knee was injured, and officers helped to move him from the vehicle and house.

A witness advised that he observed the vehicle driving erratically on Washington Avenue, and when it turned onto Blaine Avenue, the witness said it was "going at least 80," and "bouncing off curbs."

One witness said she heard a loud bang and looked outside and saw the crash.

According to the complaint, Kirchoff told police she was driving the vehicle.

Kirchoff said she had met the man who was with her in the vehicle earlier in the evening at "Pudgy's." She indicated she had "had a few alcoholic beverages" and talked with the man who was with her. She stated that she later asked the man if he wanted to come home with her.

Kirchoff said she then drove from Pudgy's on Washington Avenue until Blaine Avenue, where she turned and eventually hit the home on Victory. Kirchoff told officers she was unable to navigate the curve.

Kirchoff and the man with her were taken to the hospital for medical clearance. Kirchoff was asked to perform field sobriety tests, but she refused.

The man who was with Kirchoff was diagnosed with chest wall injuries, an abdominal wall contusion, a contusion of the thumb, a contusion of the left knee and lower leg and an abrasion to the right knee.

The complaint indicates the man told officers: "I tell you what, she was definitely going faster than 25 miles-per-hour!"

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