Illinois driver posts cash bonds totaling $16,000
Prosecutors charged Dennis G. Knepple, 70, Lagrante Park, Illinois, with felony drunken driving.
It is the fourth OWI filed against Knepple between June 24 and July 24.
According to the criminal complaint, Fremont Police Officer Slavko Stefanovic was northbound on Tustin Road at 6:20 p.m. Thursday, July 18, when a silver minivan pulled out from a stop sign at Lind Road directly into his path.
Stefanovic hit his brakes to avoid a collision.
The van turned left onto Tustin, then made an immediate right onto State Highway 110.
Stefanovic activated his siren and emergency lights. He then used his squad car’s loudspeaker to order the driver to turn left onto West Main Street.
Instead, the van stopped at the temporary signals in the State Highway 110 construction zone.
The driver, later identified as Knepple, exited his vehicle.
Stefanovic again ordered Knepple to get back into his vehicle and turn onto Main.
Knepple complied and pulled into the parking lot of the Wolf River Diner.
The officer reported that Knepple again exited his vehicle and failed to comply with repeated commands to get back into his van.
Stefanovic drew his electric stun gun, and Knepple returned to his vehicle.
The officer saw a plastic cup thrown from the van. It smelled of alcohol.
At the time of this arrest, Knepple was free on two cash bonds due to prior arrests in Waupaca County.
He has been convicted for drunken driving offenses three times in Illinois.
Waupaca County priors
On June 22, Knepple was cited for a first OWI by Waupaca County Deputy Adam Lange.
Lange also issued tickets for operating left of the center line, failure to keep a vehicle under control and refusing to take an intoxication test.
On June 25, police say Knepple crashed into a Fremont hotel and tried to drive away from the scene.
Officer had to hold him down when Knepple struggled with medical staff as they attempted to draw his blood.
Knepple was cited for another first OWI because he has not been convicted of the June 22 OWI yet.
He was also cited for obstructing an officer and released after posting a $1,000 cash bond with the condition that he maintain absolute sobriety.
On June 30, Waupaca County Deputy Eric Kamholz cited Knepple for speeding in a no-wake zone on the Wolf River.
On July 10, Waupaca Police Officer Dan Wasrud arrested Knepple after he allegedly hit a vehicle parked at the Chain O’ Lakes Bar and Grill in King.
Knepple was charged with another OWI, as well as with misdemeanor bail jumping,
He was released from custody after posting a $5,000 cash bond.
Subsequent to his fourth arrest on July 18, Knepple was released from custody on a $10,000 cash bond.
He is scheduled to appear in Waupaca County Circuit Court again on Aug. 1.