A deputy in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, is facing multiple charges after an alleged DUI. He is accused of driving the wrong way and having guns in his vehicle while impaired.
As reported by The Badger Project, citing a report, the incident occurred on May 11. At around 1:30 a.m., a deputy with the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office noted a vehicle driving west in eastbound lanes on Capitol Drive.
Fortunately, no other vehicles were on the road at the time, minimizing the chances of a potentially fatal head-on collision. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver pulled over.
However, when the deputy approached the vehicle, he came across a familiar face. The driver was also a Waukesha County deputy.
Deputy Encounters Deputy
The driver was identified as 34-year-old Daniel Matuszak. According to Waukesha County’s human resources department, he has been a WCSO deputy for four years.
Allegedly, Matuszak came clean to his fellow deputy almost immediately. As per the report, he admitted to drinking and driving, as well as having firearms in his vehicle.
The deputy noted in the complaint that he observed a “moderate odor of consumed intoxicants coming from the vehicle.” Additionally, Matuszak allegedly showed “slow motor functions and responses.”
Findings
An officer with the Waukesha Police Department responded to the scene. Field sobriety tests were then conducted.
Matuszak, according to law enforcement, failed the walk-and-turn test. On top of that, he is accused of swaying during the single-leg stand test.
Authorities took a preliminary blood test to determine Matuszak’s blood alcohol content (BAC). Allegedly, the deputy’s BAC was 0.12. Wisconsin’s legal limit is 0.08.
The criminal complaint detailed that police found two rifles and a handgun behind the driver’s seat. The handgun was loaded with a bullet in the chamber, police said.
Arrested and Charged
Daniel Matuszak was placed under arrest. Following the preliminary blood test, he was charged with operating with a prohibited alcohol concentration between 0.08 and 0.15 and operating while intoxicated. In connection with the found firearms, he is facing a misdemeanor charge of operating a firearm while intoxicated.
WCSO’s James Gumm talked with The Badger Project, explaining Matuszak’s charges. When asked about the case specifics, he responded: “At this time, it is an ongoing criminal case, so we don’t have any comment. I am open to discussing more specifics and making comment at the conclusion of the case, though.”
Matuszak has since pleaded not guilty to his charges. He is scheduled to appear in court on June 24.