BRIGHTON, Wis. — A Burlington man who was wanted on a $5,000 warrant for failing to appear in court on a fourth-offense drunk driving case has now been arrested and is out on significantly reduced bail.
Matthew J. Mortensen, 47, was taken into custody on July 23 after arranging a voluntary appearance in Kenosha County Circuit Court. Mortensen had been wanted since July 17, when he failed to appear for a scheduled hearing in his felony OWI case, prompting Court Commissioner William Michel to issue the arrest warrant.
At his July 23 court appearance, Mortensen’s bail was lowered from $5,000 cash to $500 cash, which he posted later that day. He is next due in court on Aug. 14 for a preliminary hearing.
The charges stem from a June 8 crash in the Town of Brighton in which Mortensen allegedly drove his Toyota into a ditch on County Highway JB after swerving to avoid a squirrel. According to the criminal complaint, Mortensen admitted to EMS personnel that he had consumed four alcoholic beverages prior to the crash. Deputies reported he registered a preliminary breath test result of 0.156% blood alcohol concentration — nearly twice the legal limit.
Court records show Mortensen’s license had been revoked following an August 2022 OWI conviction, and he was under a court order to have an ignition interlock device installed in any vehicle he operated. Deputies found no such device in the vehicle.
Mortensen faces one felony count of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence – 4th offense, along with two misdemeanor counts of operating while revoked and failure to install an ignition interlock device. He has three prior OWI convictions in Kenosha County dating back to 2017.
If convicted on the felony charge, Mortensen faces up to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 60 days in jail. The misdemeanor charges could add further penalties.
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6 Responses
What do we need to happen before Michel is replaced, someone killed? Lousy attorney now Court Commissioner???
Why lower his bail. He didn’t show up for his court appearance. Stop giving a slap on the wrist to repeat drunk drivers! He didn’t get his ignition lock device and his license was revolked! He is never going to learn or change. He is going to end up killing an innocent person!
POS. Cut his arms off so he can no longer drive.
4 drinks would put this glutinous behemoth at about. 06.
Why would he show up for court?
Sounds about white.