Milwaukee man arrested, charged after driving wrong way on I-43, striking 2 vehicles

Updated: 3:04 p.m. on May 11, 2023

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Milwaukee man is facing a charge of second degree recklessly endangering safety after he drove the wrong way on I-43 and struck multiple vehicles. 

Officials say Earl Barry on Monday, May 8, got on the freeway at the W. Fond du Lac off-ramp and drove southbound on I-43. 

Two vehicles were struck by Barry, officials say. He traveled the wrong way for approximately 3.5 miles. 

No one was seriously hurt. 

According to a criminal complaint, Barry smelled of alcohol following the incident but denied drinking anything that day. There was an unopened bottle of vodka in his vehicle. 

Officials say a field sobriety test was conducted and the deputy believed he was intoxicated. 

Barry was cited for his first OWI offense and a blood draw was conducted. The results are still pending. 

9:19 p.m. on May 8, 2023

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A 78-year-old Milwaukee man was taken into custody Monday after officials say he drove northbound in the southbound lanes of I-43.

According to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office, the driver entered the freeway at the W. Fond Du Lac off-ramp and traveled to southbound I-43 at Capitol. 

Officials say he struck two other vehicles while traveling the wrong way for approximately 3.5 miles. No serious injuries were reported.

Authorities say the driver exhibited signs of impairment and performed poorly on field sobriety tests.

He was taken into custody for first-degree recklessly endangering safety, hit-and-run causing injury and OWI-1st.