Man Picks Dad Up From Hospital Drunk, Police Say

A 44-year-old Menomonee Falls man is accused of coming to Community Memorial Hospital to pick up his dad after driving there drunk.

David T. Pickhardt was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court Wednesday with one count of fifth offense operating while intoxicated and one count of operating a motor vehicle after revocation of his license. If convicted, he faces up to four years in prison and $12,500 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint:

On Dec. 6, Menomonee Falls police officers were called to the hospital after a security guard saw Pickhardt drive to the hospital, park in a doctor’s area, then stagger inside to pick up a patient. When an officer looked at surveillance video footage of the person he immediately knew him as Pickhardt.

Pickhardt was approached by the officer and he said his dad was admitted to the hospital, and that he was driven there by a friend. Pickhardt said he drank four vodka drinks at home and denied drinking at the hospital.

His friend denied driving, then told the officer Pickhardt had been drinking at the hospital and was carrying a 1.75 liter bottle of vodka in a plastic bag. Pickhardt failed field sobriety tests and was then taken to a lab area of the hospital for a blood test.

Pickhardt was previously convicted of OWI in 1990, 1996, 2004 and 2010. He’s currently being held in Waukesha County Jail on $25,000 bond.