Shawano police responding to a two-vehicle crash Wednesday arrested a Crandon man on a charge of seventh-offense operating while intoxicated, making it the city’s third multiple-offense drunken driving case in five days.
Lee White, 55, could face a maximum 10 years in prison and $25,000 fine if convicted.
According to the criminal complaint, White was the driver of a Chevy Impala that plowed into a Chevy Blazer on Lakeland Road at Green Bay Street about 10 p.m.
The driver of the Blazer said he was northbound on Lakeland Road when the Impala came around the corner and turned into him. No one was injured in the crash.
White allegedly tried to flee the scene in his vehicle, but it was no longer operable, according to the complaint, which alleges White then left the scene on foot.
A Shawano County K-9 unit assisted police with tracking White and taking him into custody a short time later in a wooded area between Lakeland Road and Walmart, according to the complaint.
The complaint states police found an empty bottle of tequila in White’s vehicle.
White refused to allow blood to be drawn for an OWI test, but a blood draw was taken after police obtained a search warrant, according to the complaint.
White was also charged with misdemeanor counts of hit-and-run, operating while revoked and bail jumping.
According to the criminal complaint, White has four prior OWI convictions in Forest County, one in Milwaukee County and one in St. Croix County.
White was ordered held on an $8,500 bond and is due in Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court for an adjourned initial appearance Monday.
Wednesday’s incident was the third multiple-offense drunken driving case in Shawano since Saturday, when Jerry A. Jarvis, 48, of Shawano, was arrested on a charge of eighth-offense OWI.
On Tuesday, James P. Rybicki, 55, of Shawano, was arrested on a charge of sixth-offense OWI.
Both arrests were made after anonymous callers tipped police about their driving.