Officers find suspected meth after driver’s arrest
Tony E. Peterson, 35, Waupaca, is charged with a fourth drunken driving offense causing injury, possession of methamphetamine, possession of an illegally obtained prescription drug, operating after revocation and seven counts of misdemeanor bail jumping.
At 12:47 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, Waupaca Police officer Brent Wittman was dispatched to the intersection of West Fulton Street and U.S. Highway 10.
When he arrived, Wittman found a two-vehicle crash blocking the intersection.
According to the criminal complaint, Peterson was seated in a black Pontiac with no license plates.
Although he was bleeding from his head, he refused aid from ambulance personnel.
The second vehicle had Alabama license plates and two occupants.
The front seat passenger said he believed he had broken ribs and Gold Cross Ambulance paramedics transported him to ThedaCare-Waupaca.
The driver of the second vehicle said he was making a left turn onto Fulton from the U.S. 10 westbound ramp.
He said he was following another vehicle through a green light when an eastbound vehicle on Fulton hit the driver’s side of his car.
Peterson told Wittman that he had just purchased the Pontiac and did not have insurance, the complaint says.
He accused the other driver of running a red light.
Wittman noticed that Peterson smelled like alcohol. A preliminary breath test indicated that Peterson had a .23 BAC. He also had two prior drinking and driving convictions.
At the jail, officers found four gabapentin pills and white crystalline residue that test positive for methamphetamine.
On May 4, 2020, Waupaca County charged Peterson with a third OWI and released him from custody on a $1,000 signature bond.
Peterson also has seven pending misdemeanor charges in Waupaca County.
He is currently in custody on a $10,000 cash bond.