SAWYER COUNTY -- The Wisconsin State Patrol has arrested a Hayward man for OWI 6th, Bail Jumping, Texting While Driving, Open Intoxicants in a Motor Vehicle, and Failure to Have Control of a Motor Vehicle, after a Trooper responded to a report of a vehicle running into the ditch, according to a news release from the Wisconsin State Patrol.
News Release
Christopher Arthur Thannum, 57 years of age, from Hayward, WI has been arrested by the Wisconsin State Patrol Spooner Post for operating a motor vehicle under the influence, 6th offense.
On 5/9/20 at 4:56 pm, a WI State Patrol Trooper responded to a report of a vehicle which had run into the ditch on CTH O at Fire Lane Road.
When the Trooper arrived on scene he found the operator, Thannum, uninjured and standing outside of his vehicle. The vehicle had no damage.
Thannum admitted he had gone into the ditch because he had been texting and driving.
The Trooper noticed the odor of intoxicants coming from Thannum along with other visible signs of impairment. Standardized field sobriety tests were administered and Thannum was subsequently placed under arrest for OWI 6th offense.
Thannum was transported to Marshfield Medical Center in Ladysmith where a consensual blood draw was obtained for chemical testing.
He was later incarcerated at the Rusk County jail where he has been charged with OWI 6th, bail jumping, texting while driving, open intoxicants in a motor vehicle, and failure to have control of a motor vehicle.
"Pursuant to the direction of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicly, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty."
Last Update: May 10, 2020 7:57 am CDT
