Posted on 02/25/2004 5:12:22 PM PST by Indy Pendance
A breath analysis showed Wisconsin Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager's blood alcohol content at 0.12 percent after she ran off a highway in Dodge County Monday night, and she told the arresting officer she had taken a muscle relaxant earlier in the day.
According to Dodge County sheriff's deputies, Lautenschlager ran off the road as she was en route from Madison to her home in Fond du Lac at about 11:45 p.m. She was not injured.
Lautenschlager's breath smelled strongly of alcohol and her eyes were bloodshot and glassy, a police report said.
The incident began when Columbus Police Officer Mark Handel said he clocked Lautenschlager traveling about 30 mph in a 65 mph zone on U.S. Highway 151 about 11:25 p.m. Monday, according to Handel's report. Lautenschlager, 48, slowed to about 15 miles per hour as she passed Handel's patrol car, forcing the line of cars traveling behind her to come to a stop, according to Handel's report.
Handel caught up to Lautenschlager's car and watched it go into the ditch just north of Highway 73 in the town of Elba. He then called the Sheriff's Department because he was out of his jurisdiction.
Lautenschlager told the deputy she had a couple glasses of wine at a Madison tavern, consuming her last one at about 10 p.m. She also said she had taken a tablet of the muscle relaxant Flexeril at about 4 p.m. Flexeril, which has a therapeutic cycle of about eight hours, can enhance the effects of alcohol.
After failing several sobriety tests, the deputy administered a breath test that measured Lautenschlager's blood-alcohol content at 0.12. The state's legal limit is 0.08.
Lautenschlager then refused a blood test, saying she wanted to speak to her lawyer, according to the police report. She later agreed to the blood test but was told too much time had passed and her refusal would remain on the record.
Her husband, William Rippl, a retired Neenah police officer, was subsequently called to pick her up.
Lautenschlager was cited for first-offense drunken driving, a civil citation, and handed a $784 fine. She could also lose her license for between six and nine months.
If found guilty of refusing a blood test, Lautenschlager's license will be revoked for one year and she will be ordered to undergo alcohol counseling. A conviction on her refusal would also mean a conviction on the drunken driving charge.
Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls said Lautenschlager was cooperative during her contacts with officers. He said she was treated no differently because of her position and that she asked for no special treatment.
Lautenschlager issued a statement to Justice Department employees Tuesday apologizing for the incident.
"I am sorry to tell you that I made a terrible mistake last night," she wrote. "While driving home, I fell asleep and drove off the road, and was subsequently cited for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. I wish to apologize to each and every one of you for the negative impact my actions might have on the department and the public's perception of this fine institution. I am extremely embarrassed about this and know that I have disappointed many people who have put their faith in me. I wish to thank the officers of the Dodge County Sheriff's Department for their professionalism in handling this matter. I accept the consequences of and will take responsibility for my actions."
No problem, she'll just use one of the state employees as her driver for the next 12 months. What a crock. She's gotta go.
Yes, this seems to be unprecendented and lacking due process. It certainly sounds unconstitutional. Its almost like saying if you don't testify in your murder trial, you're automatically convicted. What a perfect person to challenge the law. And I'm sure she will if she ends up resigning.
Maybe she should carpool with the former governor of South Dakota - after he gets out of prision.
Now Nubaine is a doozy! That would make the pain go away if you were nailed to the cross. Oxycontin super-sucks too. I don't know what all the controvercy is? Most oral pain meds are worthless.
And if you are in such pain that you need to be on medication, you should be in the hospital getting better, or strongly medicated at home under supervision getting physical therapy. Not taking pills, boozing, and bitch-ditchin.
Americans and pills..........Feh!
Wow, just a fine and a loss of licence?
More than likely, she will be able to apply for & receive a conditional license which will allow her to drive to & from work. She lives in Fond du Lac & commutes to Madison, approximately 150 miles round trip.
I've taken Flexeril & can't imagine anyone even attempting to drive while under the influence of that drug. And that's without adding booze to the equation.
It is also illegal to take a prescribed medication in any manner inconsistent with it's labelling.
She is in violation of federal law. She was operating a state owned vehicle against the state's policy. Two policies.......
She should be fired post haste. And prosecuted!
Is there any info on why she was taking a muscle relaxant? I believe that type of drug is often abused, but there's no evidence of THAT.
It's pretty common knowledge not to mix prescription (or OTC) drugs with alcohol.
What did the cop do? Run after her when she passed?! rotflmao
I know but why do folks need a muscle relaxer?
Sometimes when you injure something, the muscles start going into spasms. Tends to radiate out from the area of injury & muscles that weren't affected at the get go start spazzing. So the pain grows & grows.
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