'Absolutely unreal:' Dashcam video shows suspected drunk driver fighting deputy, injuring him
UNION GROVE -- A Racine County deputy is recovering after getting hurt during an OWI arrest Wednesday, July 4. The deputy was attacked by a suspected drunk driver, and it was all caught on camera.
Investigators say Dmitry Zellmer, 20, was drunk and speeding through Union Grove when the deputy stopped him.
It all began with a call regarding a reckless driver just before midnight. It was reported there was a vehicle all over the road at approximately 80 miles-per-hour -- heading west.
Deputies got to the area to find the suspect vehicle stopped in the westbound lane of State Highway 11 -- with the driver leaning his body out of the vehicle.
Dmitry Zellmer
Dmitry Zellmer
When they pulled him over, investigators say Zellmer got out of his vehicle and lunged at the deputies -- and began to fight.
Deputy in dashcam video: "Do you want to do a field sobriety test or not? I'm affording this opportunity to you to prove to me that you're OK to drive."
Zellmer: "I am!"
Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling
"Things turned south pretty quickly. When he was asked to come out, you can see it in his eyes, he was not willing to give up his night of partying and he became violent," said Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling.
Dmitry Zellmer
During the scuffle, Zellmer and the deputy fell to the ground. The deputy suffered a knee injury, and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
"Unreal. It's absolutely unreal," said Schmaling.
Zellmer faces one count of resisting an officer/substantial bodily harm/soft tissue injury (repeater) and one count of resisting or obsructing an officer (repeater).
He made his initial appearance in court on July 5, and a preliminary hearing was set for July 12. Cash bond was set at $10,000.
As for the deputy, Sheriff Schmaling said his knee is OK, and he was back on the job Thursday night.