Busy holiday weekend for Sheriff's deputies: 16 arrests during "Operation Drive Sober" patrols

MILWAUKEE COUNTY -- Officials with the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office say there were 16 arrests for drunken driving during this Fourth of July holiday weekend. Two people were arrested for their second DUI offense.

Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke has ordered a continued aggressive weekend Driving Under the Influence (DUI) initiative to rid the Milwaukee County freeway system of drunken drivers.

This holiday weekend’s Operation Drive Sober initiative took place from Friday, July 1st at 4:00 p.m. through Tuesday, July 5th at 6:00 a.m. The average PBT result was .13.

A 32-year-old and 37-year-old, both from Milwaukee, were arrested for their second offense.

The 37-year-old woman was arrested on Sunday, July 3rd when deputies stopped a vehicle on Lincoln Memorial Drive at Lagoon Drive -- after the US Bank Fireworks Show. Sheriff's officials say the woman failed to obey a traffic officer -- nearly striking a deputy who was directing traffic.

The operator of the vehicle was found to have a suspended driver's license, and she was taken into custody for DUI -- second offense after performing poorly on field sobriety tests and a .16 reading on the intoximeter.

Sheriff's officials say this woman is already facing DUI -- second offense charges for an arrest in March. That case has not yet concluded.

In that case, the judge ordered absolute sobriety, and ordered her not to drive without a valid license.

The arrest this weekend could be a DUI -- third offense if she is convicted of the offense from March.

Sheriff's officials say two children were in the backseat of her vehicle -- ages six and 13. They were taken into custody by Child Protective Services officials.

This driver faces two counts of DUI -- second offense with a child under the age of 16 in her vehicle -- with a maximum penalty of one year in jail, along with traffic citations.

On the Fourth of July, around 1:00 a.m., a deputy attempted to stop a vehicle for multiple lane deviations and possible DUI on I-43 EB near 76th Street.

Sheriff's officials say the vehicle didn't stop, and a pursuit ensued, lasting for approximately seven miles -- ending on WB Rawson Avenue at 20th Street -- where the vehicle pulled over and stopped.

The driver, a 31-year-old Milwaukee man, admitted he had warrants and "did not want to go to jail," Sheriff's officials said.

He showed signs of impaired driving, and was taken to the hospital for a blood draw.

Sheriff's officials say he was in possession of Adderall and Vicodin and did not have a prescription for those drugs.

He was taken to jail on charges of DUI -- first offense, prohibited alcohol concentration -- first offense, fleeing/eluding an officer, and felony possession of a controlled substance -- Schedule 1 narcotics without a prescription. He faces up to seven years in prison for two felonies if convicted.

He also received traffic citations.

On Monday evening, around 7:15 p.m., deputies responded to a crash on Highway 145 SB near Grantosa Avenue.

Witnesses indicated a vehicle had been traveling in excess of 100 miles-per-hour when it struck the median wall.

Two people in the vehicle were initially unconscious, but regained consciousness when deputies arrived on scene.

The driver, a 30-year-old Milwaukee man, tested a .16 on a preliminary breath test and told deputies he had consumed two to three beers.

A 14-year-old boy who was a passenger in the vehicle suffered a broken leg and was taken to Children's Hospital.

Two other minor passengers, boys ages 15 and 16 were released to their parents.

The driver was arrested for three counts of DUI -- first offense with minor passengers, DUI causing great bodily harm, operating while suspended, causing great bodily harm, second degree recklessly endangering safety and operating with a prohibited alcohol concentration causing great bodily harm.

He faces up to 42-and-a-half years in prison if convicted on all charges.

On Monday night, just before midnight, Sheriff's officials say a 25-year-old Milwaukee woman walked into Froedtert Hospital's emergency room after an altercation at Lincoln Park during the fireworks.

The woman indicated she was on a playground with her three children when she got into an argument with a female acquaintance around 9:45 p.m.

The woman said she thought the other woman had punched her, but saw blood coming through her shirt.

Her boyfriend drove her to the hospital, where she was treated for a small wound.

Sheriff's detectives are investigating.

Of those arrested for DUI -- first offense this holiday weekend, one was just 16 years old, Sheriff's officials said.