Whitewater man arrested for 3rd OWI with 7-month-old son in car, officials say

By: CBS 58 Newsroom

Posted: Nov 7, 2017 2:55 PM CDT

ROCK COUNTY, Wis. - (WISC) A Whitewater man was arrested on charges of operating while intoxicated third offense with a child under 16 in the car Monday in Rock County, officials said.

Charles D. Bruenig, 40, told officers he was looking at a text message just before a crash with a semitruck. When officers talked to Bruenig he showed signs of impairment, and he admitted to consuming alcohol at his residence prior to driving, according to a release from Rock County Sheriff's Office.

In the car with him during the crash was his 7-month-old son, officials said.

Deputies responded to the two-vehicle traffic crash on the East County Trunk N overpass at North State Highway 2 around 3 p.m., according to the release.

A semi-truck driven by a 59-year-old man from Oklahoma was westbound on East County Trunk N and entered a turn lane to turn south onto North State Highway 26. A Toyota Scion driven by Bruenig was also westbound and entered the turn lane, rear-ending the semi, officials said.

Officials performed field sobriety tests and Bruenig was arrested for operating while intoxicated. Having the child in the car makes this third offense a felony. Bruenig will also be cited for operating while suspended and inattentive driving, officials said.

The child was turned over to his mother at the scene. There were no injuries involved in the accident, according to the release.