Full Notification

They Chose Poorly - WRPD Arrested Two for OWI Early This Morning

We can not stress enough the options this community has for people to get home safely after drinking alcohol (posted yesterday on our WRPD Facebook page). Early this morning, Officers from your Wisconsin Rapids Police Department arrested two different drivers for Operating While Intoxicated. At the time of this posting, they are both incarcerated in the Wood County Jail to complete their 12-Hour OWI Hold. If convicted, see option 3 below for their consequences. As with all cases, a suspect is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Here are the options to get home safely not only this St. Patrick's Day weekend, but anytime a person has had too much to drink.

1. Wisconsin Rapids Pub Pilots - 715-421-3000
Created in 2008 with a DOT Grant and a lot of effort from members of your local government and the Tavern League, bar patrons in Wisconsin Rapids can call 715-421-3000 and get a free ride home within 10 Miles. Unique about the Pub Pilots program is they get your car home for you! Yeah, that is cool. Pub Pilots runs Thursday - Saturday 12:00am-3:00am, and they will be in operation this St. Patrick's Day Weekend also.

2. River City Cab - 715-424-4595
They honor the Safe Ride Home Vouchers (Get it from a Bartender)Or their cash Rate $3.25 for one person (in town rate)
Over 60 $1.75
Out of Town Rate $1.25 per Mile
Hours:
Monday - Thursday – Open 5am but Last Call by 11:15pm
Friday and Saturday – Open at 5am but Last Call by 2:15am
Sunday 7:30a but Last Call by 3:45pm

3. Get Arrested for Operating While Intoxicated (Not Accident Related)The WRPD provides free ride to the hospital for a blood sample, and then gives the person a safe ride to the Wood County Jail where the person is held for 12-Hours, after 12 Hours a PBT result must be low enough to allow them to leave.

1st Offense WRPD Citation Cost is $911.00/$939.00 for Operating While Intoxicated if convicted.
$939.00 for a Prohibited Concentration Citation if convicted if Applicable. Plus the citation cost of whichever traffic violation that was committed which led to the traffic stop if convicted.
Insurance costs may go up.
Loss of driver's license follows a conviction.
For Prohibited Alcohol Concentration Violations of 0.15 or more, an Ignition Interlock Device installation on the persons car is required at that persons cost.

4. Arrested for Operating While Intoxicated Causing Accident with Injury or Death
That person will need much more than advice from a Nixle Posting.

If you find yourself intoxicated, do yourself, family, friends, and co-workers a favor and choose Option 1 or 2.

Please Drive Sober, Or Get Pulled Over