Wrong-way drunk on U.S. Highway 10

WEYAUWEGA — Pedro Joaquin Palma Chavarria, 38, of Wautoma, has been charged with a felony (second degree recklessly endangering safety) and one misdemeanor (resist officer - failure to stop vehicle) for allegedly driving the wrong way on State Highway 10 and then failing to stop for law enforcement.
On Friday, Nov. 7, at approximately 9:22 a.m., Deputy Jacob Steinberg of the Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office was advised by dispatch of a wrong-way driver on State Highway 10 in the Town of Weyauwega. The vehicle, described as a gray/silver sedan, was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of the highway. Dispatch also advised there was possibly a child in the back seat.
While Deputy Steinberg was en route with lights and sirens, dispatch updated that the vehicle, identified as a Buick, had corrected its direction and was now traveling westbound in the westbound lanes.
The vehicle took the County Trunk F exit and entered the City of Weyauwega. Weyauwega Police Chief Brandon Leschke located the vehicle and attempted to initiate a stop. Chief Leschke reported over the radio that the vehicle was failing to stop, driving through the entire city before finally halting at Mill and Main Street. The vehicle was occupied by three individuals.
Upon arrival, Deputy Steinberg was informed that the occupants did not speak English. Officer Rode was attempting to speak with the driver, identified via a Nicaraguan ID card as Pedro Joaquin Palma Chavarria, through a phone translation app.
Deputy Steinberg noted that Chavarria’s eyes were bloodshot and glassy. The deputy also observed several empty beer bottles and cans throughout the rear of the vehicle, as well as a plastic Kwik Trip bag containing sealed bottles of Corona that matched the empty containers. When Chavarria exited the vehicle, Deputy Steinberg could smell the odor of intoxicants coming from him.
Chavarria claimed his passengers were the ones drinking when asked about the empty containers.
After failing a field sobriety test, Chavarria was then informed he was under arrest for Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) and Recklessly Endangering Safety. After Deputy Martinez read the Informing the Accused form in Spanish, Chavarria responded “yes” and agreed to provide a voluntary blood sample at 10:41 a.m. The blood draw was performed at ThedaCare Waupaca at 11:25 a.m.
Chavarria was booked into the Waupaca County Jail without further incident. He was provided with both English and Spanish copies of all citations and the Informing the Accused form.