Racine County drunk driving chase, Menomonee Falls man charged

RACINE COUNTY, Wis. - A Menomonee Falls man is accused of operating while intoxicated after fleeing a New Year's Eve traffic stop.

A Racine County sheriff's deputy tried to pull over Clifford Johnson shortly after midnight on Dec. 31. Bodycam video shows the 56-year-old sped away.

Along State Highway 20, a busy holiday weekend ramped up when the deputy spotted a swerving SUV near a Mount Pleasant frontage road. It led to a pursuit that stretched more than a mile and reached a top speed around 70 mph.

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Deputies arrested Johnson and took him to a hospital. Authorities said Johnson failed field sobriety tests and had a 0.137 BAC. The 56-year-old also admitted to drinking beer since 2 p.m. the previous afternoon, according to the sheriff's office. 

The traffic stop was part of the Racine County Sheriff's Office Alcohol Saturation Program, which keeps an eye out for drunk drivers during the New Year's weekend. This year, it led to the arrests of five people – including Johnson.

"If you’re impaired, we’re ready to enforce the law, which means arresting you and taking you to jail," said Lt. Michael Luell with the Racine County Sheriff's Office.

Johnson was arrested for what, if convicted, would be his fifth OWI offense. Prosecutors said he was driving on a revoked license due to his prior OWI convictions when he fled the deputy.

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"There’s certainly no excuse when you’re revoked. You should have an ignition interlock device, and this is your fifth offense," Luell said.

In all, Johnson is charged with operating while intoxicated (fifth or sixth offense), fleeing/eluding police and two misdemeanors. His cash bond was set at $5,000 during his initial court appearance Wednesday, Jan. 3.