GREEN BAY (NBC 26) — A Green Bay man has been arrested for what authorities say is his 18th OWI offense. Green Bay Police had stated in a news release that he was arrested for his 16th OWI, but according to a criminal complaint, he actually already had 17 prior Operating While Intoxicated convictions.
Police identified the driver as Wallace C. Bowers, a 74 year old Green Bay resident. Bowers was arrested for OWI. He was taken into custody and booked at the Brown County jail.
“I am frankly shocked that someone with fifteen prior OWI arrests is still driving,” said Police Chief Andrew Smith in a news release that had previously only identified 16 OWIs for Bowers. A criminal complaint filed later showed Bowers is actually facing his 18th OWI.
Police responded at around 12:30 a.m. Friday to East Mason Street at Bader Street for reports of electrical wires down and police were advised that a possible power line transformer had malfunctioned. Police say power went out in a large area around the crash.
When officers arrived on scene, police say witnesses told them the incident involved a crashed vehicle and the involved driver was injured.
Along with the OWI, officers will be recommending charges of resisting arrest to the Brown County District Attorney. Bowers was also given a citation for operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance.
