'He's dead:' 1 year in prison for father whose 8-year-old called 911 after he overdosed in his vehicle



WAUKESHA COUNTY — A Waukesha father accused of overdosing on drugs while his three young children were in his vehicle has reached a plea deal in the case against him. After pleading guilty Thursday, Jan. 18, he was sentenced to prison.

Christopher Koeberl, 34, pleaded guilty to two charges: OWI, third offense with a passenger under the age of 16 and neglecting a child. Three other charges were dismissed but read into the court record.

He was then sentenced to serve one year in prison and two years probation with credit for 82 days time served.

He was also ordered to write a letter of apology to all three of his children, and he'll have to listen to the 911 call his young son made once a week during probation with his parole officer present.

Christopher Koeberl



Koeberl’s 8-year-old son is credited with saving his life in this case. He called 911 on Jan. 25, 2017.

Child: Over here (unintelligible) my dad, he’s dead. He’s not waking up for anything.


One dispatcher worked to pinpoint the cell phone signal. A second used Google maps to locate the eight-year-old boy, who didn’t know where he was. All he knew was that his father was slumped over the steering wheel and needed help. A third dispatcher kept the boy on the phone.

Dispatcher: Is it just you two in the car?

Child: No, all four of us. My two brothers and my dad.


Christopher Koeberl



Waukesha police said the father had overdosed on drugs and was rushed to the hospital for help. He survived. But FOX6 News learned this wasn’t the first time he’s been in this situation.

A criminal complaint from April 2015 accuses the Waukesha man of being at a Kwik Trip in Pewaukee and acting strange enough that a clerk called officials. The complaint says at that time, the deputy saw three young children in Koeberl’s vehicle — ages two, four and six. The complaint says the deputy “noted that (Koeberl) was swaying and had a difficult time maintaining his balance as he walked.” (Koeberl) told the deputy he had the flu. However, he was eventually convicted.

Court records show Koeberl just finished his probation for that 2015 crime a week ago Thursday, January 26th. Six days later in a Waukesha parking lot…

Child: I don’t know (crying)

Dispatcher: There’s help on the way. The ambulance will be there shortly, okay?