Janesville man arrested for 5th OWI - WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports

JANESVILLE (WKOW) – A Janesville man was arrested for his 5^th OWI offense early Sunday morning.

Janesville Officer Todd Radloff witnessed a vehicle driving erratically while turning northbound on Milton Avenue from East Centerway Street around 2:42 a.m.  Radloff said the vehicle nearly struck a second vehicle after leaving the lane of travel.

Authorities stopped the vehicle and could smell a strong odor of intoxicants on the driver's breath.  Officials identified the driver as Bruce W. Southall, 30-year-old of Janesville, and said he had poor balance and failed the standardized field sobriety. 

Officials said Southall admitted to drinking two to three mixed alcoholic drinks prior to operating his vehicle.  A legal blood draw was performed at Mercy Hospital North and the results are unknown at this time.

Janesville police said Southall had four prior OWI convictions and is currently on federal probation   Officials said he had a valid driver's license at the time of the arrest.

Janesville police are holding Southall at the Rock County Jail on a charge of OWI 5^th offense.