Drunk Woman Arrested for Allowing 8-Year-Old Son to Drive on Highway

MILWAUKEE COUNTY, WI — A 37-year-old Milwaukee woman was arrested on suspicion of her third drunk driving offense after police pulled her over on Highway 145 — with her 8-year-old driving the car.

According to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's office, just after 2 p.m. Thursday, a Milwaukee County sheriff’s deputy spotted a car entering the on-ramp at W. Fond du Lac Avenue to go southbound on Highway 145 with a young child seated on an adult female driver’s lap.

The child was steering the car.

The deputy conducted a traffic stop and reported that the child was crying. The child, who is 8-years-old, stated to the deputy that he didn’t want to go to jail.

The driver of the car was identified as Carrie L. Bernard, age 37, of Milwaukee. According to police, Bernard refused to cooperate with the deputy until the deputy’s supervisor arrived on the scene. Bernard showed visible signs of impairment and failed the field sobriety tests.

Bernard was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence - 3rd offense, with a minor under 16 years of age in the vehicle. The Milwaukee County Sheriff's office is forwarding the following charges to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's office, who will pursue formal charging: 2nd Degree Reckless Endangering Safety; Operating after Revocation – OWI Related; Interlock Ignition Device Violation .

The child was subsequently turned over to Child Protective Services.

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image via milwaukee county jail