Fritsch

A woman whose 13-year-old son made her pull over the car before he called 911 now faces a felony drunken driving charge.

Marie C. Fritsch, 50, West Bend, is charged with a fifth OWI. She faces additional penalties because she had a minor in the car and due to her blood-alcohol level at the time of her arrest.

At 10:15 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, a child called 911 in Waupaca County and reported he made his mother pull over because he believed she was intoxicated. He told dispatch they were parked on Main Street in Waupaca near a nutrition store.

When Waupaca Police Officer Nicole Hahn arrived at the scene, she found a silver Chevy Cruze parked there and a woman pacing back and forth between the vehicle and the sidewalk. There was also a 13-year-old boy and a dog in the car.

The woman, identified as Fritsch, said she was going from her home in Richland to her father’s place in Stevens Point.

According to the criminal complaint, Fritsch told Hahn she had been drinking. When Hahn asked how much, Fritsch said, “Enough.”

A records check indicated Fritsch was prohibited from having a blood-alcohol level of more than 0.02 due to four prior convictions, including an OWI causing injury in January 2008.

A preliminary breath test indicated Fritsch had a 0.266 blood-alcohol level at the time of her arrest, the complaint says.

Officer Brett Rodenz assisted by finding a ride home for the boy and his dog.

As of Tuesday morning, Sept. 8, Fritsch remained in custody on a $10,000 cash bond.