A concerning incident unfolded on Saturday afternoon when Beth Blakey, 43, of West Salem, Wisconsin, was arrested for her fourth Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) offense after her vehicle ran off the road and became stuck in a ditch. The incident occurred along the southbound exit ramp of Interstate 41 to Lineville Road in Green Bay. A Wisconsin State Patrol trooper from the Fond du Lac Post discovered Blakey's vehicle in the ditch, responding to the scene after another motorist reported observing erratic driving behavior before the vehicle left the roadway. Upon contact with Blakey, the trooper observed signs of impairment and conducted field sobriety tests, which led to her arrest. This arrest marks Blakey's fourth OWI offense, a serious criminal charge in Wisconsin that typically carries significant penalties.

The incident location at I-41's Lineville Road exit serves as a crucial junction in Brown County's transportation network, connecting Green Bay's northwest suburbs to the interstate system. This interchange experiences heavy traffic flow, particularly during peak hours, as it provides access to several commercial areas and residential neighborhoods in Howard and Suamico. The southbound exit ramp where the incident occurred requires drivers to navigate a moderate curve while decelerating from highway speeds, demanding full attention and proper vehicle control.

In Wisconsin, a fourth OWI offense is classified as a felony, carrying potential penalties of up to six years in prison and fines up to $10,000. The state's "absolute sobriety" law for repeat offenders means any detectable amount of alcohol while driving could result in a violation. Individuals facing repeat OWI charges may be subject to mandatory alcohol assessment, installation of an ignition interlock device, and license revocation. The statute of limitations for filing civil claims related to impaired driving incidents in Wisconsin is generally three years, though criminal charges may be pursued according to different timelines. An experienced Green Bay drunk driving accident lawyer will handle all aspects of the legal claim.

Related Resources:

• Brown County Sheriff's Office: Emergency Response and Patrol
• Wisconsin State Patrol - Fond du Lac Post
• Wisconsin Department of Transportation - Highway Safety Programs
• Brown County Victim/Witness Services
• Wisconsin Department of Transportation - OWI Laws and Penalties
• AODA Treatment Resources - Brown County Human Services
• Wisconsin State Patrol - Crash Reports and Records