Man in Santa suit arrested for drunken driving after striking deputy

MADISON (AP) -- A 69-year-old man in a Santa suit was arrested for drunken driving after authorities say he struck a Dane County Sheriff's deputy who was directing traffic.

Authorities say the crash happened about 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 22nd.

A sheriff's deputy was sitting in an unmarked sheriff's sport utility vehicle while directing traffic on County Highway K in the town of Westport when he was rear-ended. The deputy suffered minor injuries.

Officials say John Schuster, who was dressed as Santa Claus, was returning from a holiday party at the American Legion in Westport. They say this is his fourth offense for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.