Courts
8th OWI charge filed against Onalaska driver whose vehicle caught fire after a crash
An Onalaska man says he was drinking at home the other day, and ran out of beer, and when a friend invited him over, he decided to drive to the friend’s house.
Robert Christianson didn’t get to his friend’s place on Friday. He crashed off a road in Farmington, and his SUV caught on fire.
Christianson wasn’t hurt badly, but he’s now accused of driving drunk. Eighth offense.
Christianson was released after a court hearing on Monday, after his attorney argued that he might lose his job if he stayed in jail. He has seven previous OWI convictions in five area counties since 1997.
Prosecutor Susan Donskey says Christianson was driving dangerously, nearly hitting another vehicle.
A state patrolman came across the burning vehicle in the field, and spoke to Christianson, who said he doesn’t normally drink now, but had consumed several beers before trying to drive to his friend’s house.