MCSO: Man arrested for OWI with child in vehicle; wrong-way driver arrested 12 hours later

MILWAUKEE -- Officials with the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office said a man was arrested for OWI, second offense with a child in his vehicle, and a wrong-way driver was taken into custody during weekend "Operation Drive Sober" patrols.

Sheriff's officials said around 11:15 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, a caller reported a possible OWI on I-43 SB near Silver Spring. The witness said the driver could not stay in a lane and came close to hitting the barrier wall. The witness reported the vehicle was weaving in and out of traffic at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was stopped on Washington Blvd. near 47th St.

The driver, a Milwaukee man, 33, was arrested for OWI, second offense, drug-related. He had a child, 10 months old, in a car seat in the back seat. He was also cited for reckless driving and not having insurance.

Sheriff's officials said his last OWI conviction happened in Aug. 2012.

The child was picked up at the MCSO patrol substation by a relative.

"I strongly support keeping parents with their children, but deputies arrested three intoxicated drivers with children in their cars in the past week! Get the help you need before you have to say "goodbye" to your precious children as you go to jail! Stop drinking and driving!" Acting Sheriff Richard Schmidt said in a news release.

Twelve hours later, around 12:30 a.m., a report came in regarding a wrong-way driver headed northbound on southbound Miller Parkway/Canal St. off-ramp. The vehicle then corrected itself and exited the freeway, where it was stopped on westbound Canal St.

The driver, a Wauwatosa man, 61, had a preliminary breath test result of .10, sheriff's official said, noting that although this was his second OWI offense, he'll be cited for OWI, first offense per Wisconsin law because his prior conviction occurred in Oct. 2005 -- more than 10 years ago. He was also cited for driving the wrong way on a divided highway.