Suspect faces charges in multiple counties
Cole R. Berryman, 34, New London, is charged in Waupaca County with a fourth offense of operating while intoxicated.
Initially, prosecutors filed a third OWI against Berryman following a Sept. 17, 2018, arrest.
But between Waupaca County’s initial filing on Jan. 18, 2019, and its most recent filing on July 1, 2020, Winnebago County already convicted Berryman of a third OWI on June 24.
He also has two more open OWI cases in Outagamie County.
Arrest follows crash
Shortly before 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, New London Police Officer Luke Curtis responded to a crash on the corner of Waupaca Street and Burton Road.
He found that a car had run into a building.
The driver was in the car, hunched over and holding his stomach.
Curtis approached the car and recognized the driver as Berryman due to prior contacts.
According to the criminal complaint, Berryman appeared disoriented and sluggish. His pupils were constricted to pinpoints and his speech was slow.
Berryman reportedly said a red car forced him off the road.
Berryman denied taking any drugs that day, but said he had some Xanax the prior evening.
Curtis transported Berryman to ThedaCare in New London to draw blood samples.
Test results indicated the presence of difluorethane, a chemical used in aerosol sprays, that some people inhale or “huff” to get high. It can cause fatal damage to the brain, heart, lungs and liver.
Clonazepam, a sedative for anxiety, was also reported in Berryman’s blood.
Berryman was arrested for OWI in Outagamie County on Sept. 19, 2018, and again on Sept. 30, 2018.
His first OWI conviction was on May 9, 2018, in Fond du Lac County.
Other convictions include reckless driving, failure to keep the vehicle under control, hit and run, operating while revoked, battery and disorderly conduct as acts of domestic abuse.
Berryman is currently in Winnebago County jail.