South Dakota Man Arrested on Suspected Fourth OWI in Wisconsin
A 51-year-old man from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was arrested today on his fourth Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) offense after a traffic stop in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.
According to Wisconsin State Patrol, troopers stopped a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on Interstate 90 west late Thursday night. The driver, identified as Travis Haagenstad, exhibited signs of impairment during the stop. A search of the vehicle also revealed a potted marijuana plant on the passenger floorboard.
Following a field sobriety test, Haagenstad was taken into custody for OWI – fourth offense. He also faces charges related to possession of THC and drug paraphernalia, according to jail records. Repeat OWI offenses carry significantly increased penalties, including extended jail time and substantial fines. Wisconsin has strict laws regarding impaired driving; you can find more information about those laws here.
As of this evening, no formal charges beyond a traffic citation for speeding have been filed in court. The legal blood alcohol content limit in Wisconsin is .08; understanding these limits is crucial for road safety, as detailed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident and will be filing official charges in the coming days.
