Mount Pleasant Man Charged With OWI After Driving Wrong Way on Highway 31

On October 25 at 6:12 AM, Village of Mount Pleasant Police Officers were dispatched for a male driver operating a vehicle the wrong way on State Highway 31 at State Highway 20, in the Village of Mount Pleasant. A cell caller reported a red vehicle operating northbound in the southbound lanes of Highway 31, which is a six lane divided highway.

The caller reported the male driver was slumped over the steering wheel as the vehicle past the caller’s location. The vehicle continued northbound in the southbound lanes through the intersection, jumping the curb onto the grass area, near the Georgie-Porgies restaurant property. The red vehicle eventually came to a stop up against a landscape berm, with the non-responsive driver locked inside the vehicle.

Upon the Mount Pleasant Officers arrival at the scene, the driver was still inside the locked and running vehicle. Officers were unable to determine if the driver was breathing, as he did not respond to numerous attempts to arouse him. An Officer was able to breach a rear window of the vehicle, to allow access into the vehicle for Officers to render aid.

SouthShore Fire department rescue personnel were en route to the scene, arriving a short time later. The driver was found to be breathing, but lethargic, with Officers detecting an odor of intoxicants. The driver refused medical attention, and did not appear injured.

The driver failed field sobriety tests at the scene, and was taken into custody. Minor damage was done to the grass/landscsape berm area, and the vehicle from traveling off the roadway.

Driver was identified as 26-year-old Sergio Verdiguel of Mount Pleasant. He was charged with first offense Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated 1st offense, Operating a Motor Vehicle with a prohibited alcohol concentration, and Illegal crossing/wrong way on a divided highway.

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