The Milwaukee man who was drunk behind the wheel when he crashed his car head-on into a police vehicle on New Year’s Day has been sentenced to probation.
Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Jorge Fragoso on June 17 sentenced 24-year-old Zachariah Juan Counsell to three years of probation for the crash, which occurred about 2:37 a.m. Jan. 1 while Counsell was driving northbound in the southbound lanes of Interstate 43 near West Highland Avenue.
Court records show Counsell pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree recklessly endangering safety and a misdemeanor second offense operating while intoxicated. A third charge, operating with a prohibited alcohol concentration, was dismissed on a prosecutor’s motion as part of a plea agreement.
According to the criminal complaint, Counsell drove the wrong way on the freeway for around 1.5 to 2 miles and passed multiple vehicles, “nearly crashing into some.”
The collision, which was recorded by the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office squad car’s dashcam, happened after the officer pulled over to the median. Video of the incident shows Counsell’s vehicle steadily driving toward the deputy’s car and striking it. Deputies estimated Counsell was driving 30 to 45 miles per hour, the complaint said.
Counsell reportedly told deputies he drank “a lot” and was on his way to a strip club before the crash.
As part of his probation, Counsell’s driving privileges have been revoked for 18 months. Fragoso also ordered him to spend at least four months on work release while he pursues treatment and/or schooling.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee man who drove drunk, crashed into deputy’s squad car pleads guilty
Reporting by Steven Martinez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Steven Martinez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
