Former Milwaukee Officer Nowak drunk at time of fatal crash: officials

Officials: Nowak drunk at time of fatal crash

Former Milwaukee Police Officer James Nowak was driving drunk – more than three times the legal limit – at the time of a fatal off-duty crash, the medical examiner's office confirmed Thursday.

MILWAUKEE - Former Milwaukee Police Officer James Nowak was driving drunk – more than three times the legal limit – at the time of a fatal off-duty crash, the medical examiner's office confirmed Thursday.

The crash happened in Oak Creek – near Pennsylvania and College – on Dec. 3. The medical examiner said toxicology results placed his BAC at .241 – just over three times the legal .08 limit in Wisconsin.

Police said the 30-year-old Nowak collided with a semi that made a U-turn in front of him. Nowak died of injuries sustained in that crash days later.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, BAC between .15 to .30 may cause confusion, vomiting and drowsiness.

James Nowak; Oak Creek crash near Pennsylvania and College

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Nowak served on the Milwaukee Police Department for more than a decade.

At the crash site, a memorial including flowers and a flag went up after Nowak's death. FOX6 News learned through Nowak's family that he was an organ donor – and loved ones participated in an "honor walk" tribute for organ donors after his death.

Nowak's former partner, officer Peter Jerving, died in the line of duty in February of last year.