Drunk Driver Whose SUV Went Airborne, Struck House, Has Been Charged

GREENFIELD -- The drunk driver who slammed into a Greenfield house, causing $50,000 in damage and rolling over his own vehicle, has been formally charged in court.

That man, Brandon Deja of Franklin, faces multiple drunk driving offenses among other charges after his vehicle drove up to 70 miles per hour before going airborne and slamming into a house.

On Nov. 10, Greenfield police were dispatched to a single-vehicle accident at 4202 S. 92nd St. in Greenfield.

Upon arrival, officers observed a red Chevrolet SUV on its side up against a house, and local fire department first responders working to extricated the driver, Brandon Deja, front the vehicle, his criminal complaint said.

Police noted that Deja had been unconscious and possessing a "strong odor of alcohol" and saw that an empty bottle of vodka was on the ground. Deja, according to his criminal complaint, remained unconscious as he was transported to the hospital.

A blood test administered to Deja revealed his blood alcohol concentration of 0.167 - more than double the legal limit in Wisconsin, his complaint states.

An eyewitness driving in the area at the time of the crash stated that he observed the red SUV traveling at a high rate of speed southbound as it passed him on the right shoulder on 92nd Street. he stated that after the vehicle passed him, it swerved to the left and crossed the center line. The SUV then drove into the left shoulder of the northbound lanes of 92nd Street. The SUV then hit a fire hydrant and proceeded across Plainfield Avenue becoming airborne and hitting a house.

The home owner at 4202 South 92nd Street, stated that he was doing laundry in the basement when he heard a loud bang and thought his house blew up. The home owner then ran upstairs and grabbed his seven and ten-year-old children, and ran outside, the complaint stated.

The home owner later indicated that the cost of fixing the damage to his residence was in excess of $50,000.00.

According to the criminal complaint, another witness stated that she was traveling northbound on 92nd Street when she observed the red SUV traveling at over 70 miles per hour southbound. She stated that the Jeep crossed over into oncoming traffic and was heading straight for the vehicle she was riding in. She stated that the Jeep then lost control and hit the house. She checked on the driver of the Jeep and observed that he was unconscious and bleeding from the head.

Deja has been charted with second-degree recklessly endangering safety, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (second offense) and operating with a prohibited alcohol concentration (second offense).