Milwaukee, WI – According to police, Milwaukee County Sheriff’s deputy arrested Miguel A. Lopez, age 47, for his fourth Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) offense June 1, 2011 at 11 p.m. following a rollover crash southbound on US-41 at the Stadium Interchange.
Police say that his prior OWI convictions occurred in February 2007, February 2008 and December 2008.
The vehicle landed on its roof and the driver sustained facial lacerations. Milwaukee Fire Department medical unit personnel treated him at the scene.
A sheriff’s deputy arrested Lopez for OWI after noting a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, red eyes and slurred speech. Lopez was transported to Froedtert Memorial Hospital for further treatment and a legal blood draw. He was conveyed to the County Correctional Facility – Central (CCF-C) upon release from the hospital.Â
Police report that a check with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) revealed three prior OWI convictions, with the last in 2008, making this a felony charge.
Wisconsin Act 100 strengthened Wisconsin’s drunk driving laws. The provisions of Act 100 apply to violations that occur on or after July 1, 2010. Under the new law, a fourth offense Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) becomes a felony if it occurs within five years of an earlier offense.
If convicted of his fourth OWI offense, Lopez faces a Class H Felony, with 6-months to 6-years imprisonment with no option for house arrest.Â
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