Steven M. Wrzesinski, 38 of Merrill-was charged September 21 with a Felony charge of Battery or Threat to a Judge, Prosecutor or Law Enforcement Officer and Misdemeanor charges of Resisting or Obstructing an Officer, Criminal Damage to Property and Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated-3rd Offense (OWI).
According to court records, Wrzesinski was involved in a September 20 incident in rural Lincoln County, during which he was reportedly discovered sitting in a ditch beside a vehicle also found in the same ditch.
Wrzesinski reportedly denied driving the vehicle, stating his dog had been driving instead.
Signs indicative of alcohol impairment about Wrzesinski’s person were reportedly observed by the investigating Lincoln County patrol deputy.
Wrzesinski reportedly refused a Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) as well as Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST). Following Wrzesinski being taken into custody, a passenger in the vehicle of which Wrzesinski was suspected of operating, advised deputies Wrzesinski had been the operator of the vehicle and had been “all over the road”. A partially full bottle of liquor was also found in the vehicle.
While en route to a local hospital, Wrzesinski reportedly became loud and began to strike the cage positioned inside a Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle; separating the deputy from the backseat where Wrzesinski was seated. Upon arrival at the hospital, Wrzesinski reportedly refused to cooperate with a blood draw and kicked and punched the windows of the patrol vehicle. A warrant was requested for the blood draw and subsequently signed by a Lincoln County Circuit Court judge.
Upon later arrival at the Lincoln County Jail, Wrzesinski reportedly remained uncooperative and made several threats to the arresting deputy.
Kenneth Andrew Hernikl-64 of Mercer, was charged September 18 with Felony-4th Offense Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated.
According to court records, a deputy on patrol found Hernikl at the scene of a motorcycle crash on CTH L north of Tomahawk, in the early morning hours of September 18.
Hernikl reportedly advised investigating deputies he was slowing down to make a turn, when he was rear-ended by another motorcycle; causing the crash.
Hernikl reportedly displayed signs indicative of alcohol impairment and reportedly admitted to consuming 3-4 beverages containing intoxicants, during the the evening prior to the crash. Hernikl reportedly indicated consuming the last beverage within a couple hours preceding the crash.