46-year-old Racine man accused of driving impaired with two children in the vehicle
RACINE -- A 46-year-old Racine man has been charged -- accused of driving drunk with two children in his vehicle.
Antonio Arebalo of Racine is facing two counts of operating while intoxicated (5th or 6th offense, with a minor child in the vehicle) -- for an incident that occurred on Sunday, December 20th.
A Racine police officer, just after 5 p.m. on Sunday, was dispatched for a report of a hit-and-run accident at 2433 S. Green Bay Road. Dispatched advised the officer that the hit-and-run accident occurred near Ohio Street and Washington Avenue and the victim had followed the suspect to 2433 S. Green Bay Road.
According to the criminal complaint, when the officer arrived on scene he identified the operator of the suspect vehicle as Antonio Arebalo.
The complaint says Arebalo stated he was driving south on Ohio Street when he was involved in an accident. During the officer's investigation of the accident, it was determined that Arebalo deviated from his lane, causing a collision with another vehicle. It was also determined that Arebalo was driving with a revoked driver's license.
While speaking with Arebalo, the officer observed that his eyes were bloodshot and glassy, and his speech was slurred. The officer also detected the odor of intoxicants on Arebalo's breath.
The complaint indicates the officer then observed two small children seated in the rear passenger seat of the vehicle.
Arebalo was then asked if he would submit to field sobriety tests, and Arebalo initially refused. Moments later, Arebalo agreed to submit to field sobriety tests, but stated he would have difficulty due to the fact that he had injuries to his legs and back. Arebalo was asked if he had been drinking alcohol, and Arebalo stated he had a few beers around 2 p.m., but that he stopped because he had to pick up his girlfriend, according to the complaint.
During the field sobriety tests the complaint indicates Arebalo was "unable to touch each finger to his thumb accurately and at times moved two fingers simultaneously. Arebalo had difficulty counting in sequence from one to four, and it became more obvious when he attempted the sequence in reverse."
Arebalo was placed under arrest for operating while intoxicated. A sample of Arebalo's blood was drawn and sent to the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene for further analysis.