New Berlin man arrested for 4th drunk driving offense
David Dennis
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee County Sheriff's Deputies arrested a 58-year-old New Berlin man on Tuesday, August 20th for allegedly driving drunk. The accused is David Dennis -- and he's facing his fourth driving under the influence charge.
Deputies were first tipped off about Dennis when a witness noticed a driver was traveling the wrong way on city streets and then got on Highway 45 southbound at Florist Ave. The witness say the suspect was striking traffic barrels, swerving all over the road, and nearly striking other vehicles.
Officials say Dennis refused to stop for deputies as his car approached the Zoo Interchange. Squads created a barrier between oncoming motorists and the impaired driver to create a protective shield for other motorists. After the squads boxed the driver in, he stopped just north of Greenfield Ave. on I-894.
Officials say Dennis' blood alcohol content was .25 -- or more than three times the legal limit for driving. They say he had an open bottle of vodka in a lunch bag next to his seat.
Dennis has three prior Driving Under the Influence (DUI) convictions from January 1993, August 1995, and December 2001. He is out on bail for a fourth offense from an arrest on April 8, 2013, and is scheduled for a jury trial on September 9. If convicted of that offense, this arrest will constitute a DUI-5th offense, a felony.
Dennis also faces 2nd Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, Vehicle Operator Flee/Elude an Officer and Bail Jumping.
If convicted on all charges, Dennis faces up to 17 years and 9 months in prison.