Falls Man Faces Felony OWI After His 'Sober Driver' Leaves Him at Summerfest
Suspect tells officers he needed to get home and he didn't have a choice after a designated driver left him and a passenger.
A 35-year-old Menomonee Falls man is facing felony drunk driving charges after his “sober driver” allegedly left him at Summerfest with no way to get home.
Robert B. Peters was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court Friday with one count of fourth offense operating while intoxicated within five years. If convicted, he faces up to six years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
According to the criminal complaint:
At 12:05 a.m. Friday, a Menomonee Falls police officer spotted Peters driving a pickup truck at 57 miles per hour in a 45 miles per hour speed zone near Silver Spring Drive and Technology Drive. The truck pulled into a subdivision before being pulled over.
Peters was driving with one passenger inside and told the officer he was heading home, but seemed confused saying it was either four, six or seven blocks away. The officer then asked Peters if he had been drinking at Summerfest and he said “yes, and my sober driver left us there and they just needed to get home.”
Peters then failed field sobriety tests and submitted to a Breathalyzer test, which revealed a blood alcohol level of 0.213, which is nearly three times the legal limit to drive in Wisconsin.
He was previously convicted of OWI in 1998 and twice in 2009. He’s currently being held in Waukesha County Jail on $3,500 bond.
Johnny Paycheck
8:11 pm on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Welcome to the state with a drinking culture and virtually non-existent public transportation. It's highly unlikely this guy had $80 in his pocket for a cab ride from Summerfest to Menomonee Falls.
Craig
12:47 am on Wednesday, July 4, 2012
He likely spent that $80 on beer, had he not.....he wouldn't be facing jail time and an $8000 lawyer bill.
M C
11:44 pm on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Well, there were lots of shuttles available to outlying suburbs that ran past midnight.
Barb
10:38 am on Wednesday, July 4, 2012
It's called personal responsibility folks.... I should think the first two OWI's might be a clue that the guy has a drinking problem, but of course, he has to go down to Summerfest and drink.....and blame his driving on the fact that he was left there by his designated driver. He's probably a tool too. Nice guy for leaving your friend. Next time, and I'm sure there is going to be a next time (because he'll just get a slap on the wrist) he should plan to call someone else to come pick him up.....OR he could just get the help he needs. Wisconsin doesn't have an outstanding reputation in this area.