Illinois man arrested in Madison for OWI while pulling camper with 9 children inside

MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin State Patrol troopers arrested an Illinois man in Madison Wednesday night who they said was driving under the influence while pulling a camper with nine children inside.

State Patrol reportedly received multiple calls at around 6:30 p.m. about a pickup truck pulling a fifth-wheel camper with children waving at other drivers through the windows of the camper. Callers reported that the children looked distressed.

Troopers spotted the truck driving south on I-39/90/94 near US-151. Th vehicle exited towards Madison before stopping for law enforcement along East Washington Ave. near East Springs Drive.

The driver, a 57-year-old man from Monee, Ill., allegedly showed signs of impairment. After standardized field sobriety testing, he was arrested for operating a motor vehicle under the influence with passengers under 16 years of age.

The children in the camper said they knew the driver and were safely reunited with family members. The driver was taken to the Sauk County Jail on separate charges out of Lake Delton.

An investigation is ongoing.

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