Sheriff’s Office Kept Busy During Snow Storm 2023

At about 1:00 a.m. on Thursday morning the Sheriff’s office responded to and investigated a one vehicle rollover near 833rd Road and 559th Ave, northeast of Madison during the height of the snow storm. The driver Owen Pavelka, 28, of Madison was not injured but was found to be intoxicated and was arrested for DWI. He was booked at the Sheriff’s office where he provided a breath sample that was more than twice the legal limit. He was charged with Driving While Intoxicated 2nd offense (Above .150% BAC.), Careless Driving and an Open Container Alcohol Violation. He was released after posting a cash bond. In another incident, a vehicle was found stranded on the roadway and had to be abandoned until daylight, that driver was cited for having an Open Container of Alcoholic Liquor after testing under the legal limit. Through out the day on Wednesday and into Thursday morning the Sheriff’s office and Stanton County Emergency Management responded to numerous calls of vehicles stuck in the snow or off the roadway and unable to be removed at that time. Declared Snow Emergencies in Stanton and Woodland Park helped with getting vehicles off the streets before the main snowfall. However, four vehicles were towed in Stanton and six were towed in Woodland Park when they were not removed from the streets as directed. Everyone is reminded to take extra time and slow down in these wintery conditions and please don’t add to the misery by drinking and driving.