Wrong-way driver on Highway 151 arrested for 3rd OWI

FOND DU LAC COUNTY, Wis. (WBAY) - A warning for drivers comes after the Fond du Lac Co. Sheriff’s Department released dramatic video showing the collision between a wrong way driver and a patrol car.

It happened early Sunday morning on highway 151 near County Road V. The driver involved is accused of being drunk.

This is the type of incident, that law enforcement officials say, they encounter way too often, especially around the time of bar close on every major highway, including interstate 41. They say the dashcam video serves as an important wake-up call.

When the crash occurred, deputies working an accident nearby, immediately turned around and within a few miles, confronted the on-coming headlights. Attempting to get the driver’s attention, who instead of pulling over, struck the patrol vehicle.

“The sergeant was able to channel that vehicle that was coming northbound off into the median or median side and did a nice job of putting himself in danger but using some nice tactics there to slow that vehicle down using his lights and sirens,” said Fond du Lac Co Sheriff’s Dept. Capt. William Tadych.

The sheriff’s department says no one was hurt, and the crash caused only minor damage to the patrol car. However, they say incidents like this one, are way too common.

“This was a relatively low speed by the time this individual figured out he was going the wrong way, but we’ve had some that had no clue that we were even pursuing them and until you get yourself in that position, they’re traveling at highway speeds and they’re going right towards the other innocent bystanders,” said Capt. Tadych.

In sharing this video, the sheriff’s department hopes to encourage people who drink excessively to designate a driver.

“As always call for a ride. It’s always the best way. In circumstances like this, it just changed his life by making a poor decision and it could have been much worse had he harmed or killed someone,” said Capt. Tadych.

The name of the driver hasn’t been released yet, but the sheriff’s department says the man is facing a third offense OWI, if convicted.

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