Latest news with #OWI
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Indiana State Senator's OWI charges delayed due to legislative immunity
State Sen. Mike Bohacek faces charges after allegedly stumbling out of his car after drinking alcohol inside his car at a Michigan City Panda Express in January, but the charges were only recently filed because of legislative immunity. The Indiana Constitution states that legislators are 'privileged from arrest' during the legislative session except for treason, felony or breach of the peace. The 2025 legislative session started Jan. 8 and ended April 24, and Bohacek was arrested Jan. 24. Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores, faces misdemeanor charges of operating while intoxicated and two additional misdemeanor OWI charges for a blood alcohol content above 0.15 and endangerment, according to the probable cause affidavit. Porter County Prosecutor Gary Germann was appointed as the special prosecutor in the case. In an email Monday, Germann said the charges have not yet been approved by a judge, but that will likely occur in the next couple of days. He declined to comment further citing the pending litigation. A witness told police officers that Bohacek drank from 'an open container' and stumbled out of his vehicle at Panda Express in Michigan City around 3:30 p.m. Jan. 24, according to the affidavit. When officers arrived, they observed Bohacek with food on his clothes, poor balance and quiet, slow speech. Officers also reported that Bohacek had red, watery and bloodshot eyes and that he staggered from his black Dodge Charger, according to the affidavit. A blood test performed at about 4:30 p.m. Jan. 24 found that Bohacek's blood alcohol content was 0.283, according to the affidavit. Bohacek told police officers he took his prescription Tramadol before driving, according to the affidavit. Tramadol is a synthetic opioid used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain, including pain after surgery, according to the Mayo Clinic. When reached by the Post-Tribune Tuesday, Bohacek expressed surprise that he could be charged months after the fact, but declined to comment further. State Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident in June 2023. Former State Rep. Daniel Forestal, D-Indianapolis, faced charges before his resignation in 2020 for drunken driving. He had also faced charges for battery of a public safety official, resisting law enforcement and disorderly conduct and accusations of using his political campaign's bank account for personal use, like online gambling, in separate events beginning in 2019. Forestal, who was open about his mental health struggles, died in 2021. Responding to a wellness check at an Indianapolis hotel, police found Forestal, 38, deceased. akukulka@
Chicago Tribune
11 hours ago
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Indiana State Senator's OWI charges delayed due to legislative immunity
State Sen. Mike Bohacek faces charges after allegedly stumbling out of his car after drinking alcohol inside his car at a Michigan City Panda Express in January, but the charges were only recently filed because of legislative immunity. The Indiana Constitution states that legislators are 'privileged from arrest' during the legislative session except for treason, felony or breach of the peace. The 2025 legislative session started Jan. 8 and ended April 24, and Bohacek was arrested Jan. 24. Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores, faces misdemeanor charges of operating while intoxicated and two additional misdemeanor OWI charges for a blood alcohol content above 0.15 and endangerment, according to the probable cause affidavit. Porter County Prosecutor Gary Germann was appointed as the special prosecutor in the case. In an email Monday, Germann said the charges have not yet been approved by a judge, but that will likely occur in the next couple of days. He declined to comment further citing the pending litigation. A witness told police officers that Bohacek drank from 'an open container' and stumbled out of his vehicle at Panda Express in Michigan City around 3:30 p.m. Jan. 24, according to the affidavit. When officers arrived, they observed Bohacek with food on his clothes, poor balance and quiet, slow speech. Officers also reported that Bohacek had red, watery and bloodshot eyes and that he staggered from his black Dodge Charger, according to the affidavit. A blood test performed at about 4:30 p.m. Jan. 24 found that Bohacek's blood alcohol content was 0.283, according to the affidavit. Bohacek told police officers he took his prescription Tramadol before driving, according to the affidavit. Tramadol is a synthetic opioid used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain, including pain after surgery, according to the Mayo Clinic. When reached by the Post-Tribune Tuesday, Bohacek expressed surprise that he could be charged months after the fact, but declined to comment further. State Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident in June 2023. Former State Rep. Daniel Forestal, D-Indianapolis, faced charges before his resignation in 2020 for drunken driving. He had also faced charges for battery of a public safety official, resisting law enforcement and disorderly conduct and accusations of using his political campaign's bank account for personal use, like online gambling, in separate events beginning in 2019. Forestal, who was open about his mental health struggles, died in 2021. Responding to a wellness check at an Indianapolis hotel, police found Forestal, 38, deceased.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
'Massive path of destruction': Intoxicated teenager speeding through downtown Fond du Lac crashes into 8 total vehicles
FOND DU LAC, Wis. (WFRV) – An alleged intoxicated teenager from Green Bay caused a scene of chaos while speeding through downtown Fond du Lac at more than 50mph over the posted speed limit, ending in a multi-vehicle crash and her arrest. Deputies with the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office say the incident began around 6:35 p.m. on Friday, May 30, when a deputy saw a vehicle going 50mph in a posted 25mph zone on South Main Street near East 10th Street in Fond du Lac. Fond du Lac County deputies find half-pound of meth hidden in vehicle during traffic stop The vehicle, which was later identified as being driven by a 19-year-old woman from Green Bay, was reportedly accelerating to around 80mph at that time. The deputy tried to pull her over, but terminated a pursuit after she continued to accelerate. The suspect vehicle continued at a high rate of speed through downtown, crashing into one SUV near Division Street before colliding with seven other vehicles near Merrill Avenue. After the speeding vehicle came to a stop and started on fire, the 19-year-old got out and surrendered to deputies. It was noted that one other vehicle caught fire, and several people were injured. First responders began to assess the scene that spanned an entire downtown block and treat the three people and the suspect for injuries. Neenah Foundry fire still under investigation for cause, additional details provided on response efforts The 19-year-old suspect, who reportedly has a lengthy criminal history, was taken to a local hospital for treatment and will eventually be taken to the Fond du Lac County Jail on several charges, including OWI and operating while revoked due to alcohol. Deputies allegedly found marijuana in her vehicle during a search. It was noted that the teenager was out on two signature bonds out of Brown County for charges of possession with intent to deliver fentanyl, OWI (2nd), and felony bail jumping. She was also out on a $250 cash bond out of Fond du Lac County for two counts of felony bail jumping. Lastly, she was out on felony probation for fleeing and eluding as well as two counts of bail jumping from Ozaukee County. This young suspect, who already has a lengthy criminal history, left a massive path of destruction in downtown Fond du Lac on a Friday evening. She terrorized dozens of our citizens and visitors who were downtown to enjoy the start to the weekend. We're thankful no one was killed, and wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured. This is the second serious and reckless high-speed crash along this stretch of Main Street already this year, and in this case a deputy was placed in a no-win situation – pursue and attempt to apprehend a reckless suspect who was likely to cause a crash, or terminate pursuit hoping the suspect would stop the reckless driving but knowing they would likely crash before doing so. We appreciate the prompt and coordinated response with our communications center, law enforcement, and fire/rescue partners who worked together to mitigate what could have been a very tragic situation tonight. Sheriff Ryan Waldschmidt, Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office The suspect faces the following charges: Operating while intoxicated causing injury First-degree reckless endangering safety Operating while revoked due to alcohol / controlled substance refusal Fleeing and eluding an officer 3 counts of felony bail jumping Green Bay man accused of sexually assaulting two 13-year-old girls, cash bond set at $50k The Wisconsin State Patrol is investigating the crashes. No additional information was provided. Local 5 will provide an update to this story when more details are released. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Man in western Wisconsin dies from injuries after being hit by car while crossing street
ELLSWORTH, Wis. (WFRV) – A 74-year-old Wisconsin man died from injuries suffered after being hit by a car while crossing the street in a marked crosswalk. The Ellsworth Police Department reported that officers responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian crash around 3:14 p.m. on Thursday near the intersection of Highway 10, Main Street and Beulah Street in Ellsworth. Man hit by stray bullet while traveling in Wisconsin, deputies investigating Initial investigation details state that a 2009 Toyota Camry was heading westbound when the driver, 78-year-old Daniel Hayes of Ellsworth, hit a person crossing the street. The 74-year-old pedestrian was identified as Kenneth Wilson of Ellsworth. Wilson was reportedly crossing through a marked crosswalk at the time of the crash. He was taken to a Minnesota hospital with life-threatening injuries, where he later died. Wisconsin driver with 3 unrestrained children under age of 5 arrested for OWI after crash The crash is still under investigation. No additional details were provided. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Fond du Lac County deputies find half-pound of meth hidden in vehicle during traffic stop
(WFRV) – A man who was out on parole and had a warrant out for his arrest was taken into custody recently after Fond du Lac County deputies found a half-pound of meth hidden in his vehicle. A Facebook post from the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office states that a deputy recently pulled over a vehicle on I-41 for multiple traffic and equipment violations. Green Bay man accused of sexually assaulting two 13-year-old girls, cash bond set at $50k During the traffic stop, K9 Iro conducted a sniff of the vehicle, subsequently giving a positive alert. After searching the vehicle, deputies reportedly found a half-pound of methamphetamine hidden in a void in the running board. The driver, who deputies say was on parole for two separate convictions of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, along with other criminal convictions, also had a warrant out for his arrest through probation and parole. Wisconsin driver with 3 unrestrained children under age of 5 arrested for OWI after crash He was arrested and taken to the Fond du Lac County Jail. The release stated that 'an ongoing investigation into the source of the drugs remains active.' No other details were provided. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
