Wrong Way driver in Pleasant Prairie used heroin in Illinois before driving

A wrong way driver in Pleasant Prairie on June 24 used heroin in Illinois moments before getting on Highway 31 and heading towards Racine, according to Pleasant Prairie Public Safety.

On June 24, 2015 at 1:25 p.m., the Pleasant Prairie Public Safety Communications Center received calls regarding a driver operating a vehicle north bound (from 128th Street) in the southbound lanes on Highway 31.

Numerous calls were received from concerned drivers, and the vehicle eventually pulled over to the side of the road and stopped in the southbound lanes in the 11500 block.

Upon arrival, Pleasant Prairie Fire & Rescue and Police units found the driver unresponsive. The driver, 27-year-old Nicholas A. Ortiz of Racine, was transported to St. Catherine's Hospital. An investigation revealed that Ortiz and his passenger, 24-year-old Andrew Sawisky, also of Racine, had purchased and used heroin moments before in Illinois and began the trip back northbound on Highway 31.

According to witnesses, Ortiz became unresponsive and crossed into the southbound lanes of the highway. Sawisky indicated that he was eventually able to gain control of the vehicle and get it stopped on the side of the road where he was assisted by witnesses who called 911. Officers located drug paraphernalia in the vehicle during the subsequent investigation.

Both Oritz and Sawisky were arrested for Possession of Narcotic Drugs and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Sawisky was arrested for an additional count of Obstructing. Ortiz was also arrested for 1st Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety and was cited for Operating While Impaired. Ortiz and Sawisky were being held in the Kenosha County jail pending further court proceedings.