A 25-year-old Racine man faces his first drink-driving charge after a three-car accident on Oct. 8 sent a person to a local hospital.
Ruben Munoz, 400 Seventh St., No. 4, will return to Racine County Circuit Court on Jan. 9, 2023, for a status conference at 8:30 a.m. Racine County jail records show Munoz remained in custody for drunk driving last Thursday on $200 cash bond.
If convicted of his first drunk driving offense, with the added clause of causing injury, Munoz faces a maximum fine of $2,000 and up to a year in county jail.
Criminal complaint: drunk driving
On October 8, Racine police responded to the intersection of Martin Luther King Drive and Hamilton Street at 9:53 a.m., where they observed a GMC with extensive damage to the front and right side. A Nissan Pathfinder and a Dodge Caravan were found on Hamilton Street; the Nissan suffered significant damage to the front and left side.
The GMC and Nissan also deployed airbags, the complaint states.
The Nissan operator was later taken to Ascension Hospital with knee and back injuries. Munoz, the driver of the GMC, was treated at the scene for injuries, and Racine Fire personnel reported that there were indications of alcohol coming from his person.
Police later spoke to Munoz at Ascension Hospital, where they observed the smell of intoxicants and also said his eyes were bloodshot. Munoz admitted to drinking four to seven beers and told police “the accident was his fault”.
A forensic blood test was taken to determine Munoz’s level of intoxication. The results of this draw were not included in the complaint.
Court records also showed Munoz was driving with a suspended license. Police viewed surveillance video from Martin Luther King Drive, which showed Munoz driving his vehicle at high speed. He then failed to stop at the stop sign and crashed into the southbound Nissan. That vehicle then struck the Dodge, which was stopped at the eastbound stop sign, the complaint states.
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