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Janesville driver faces sixth OWI allegation after I-90/94 traffic stop
Mark Carlson, 65, was arrested in Columbia County after a deputy reported seeing his SUV weave and leave its lane on I-90/94. He faces four allegations, including sixth-offense operating while intoxicated, authorities said.
A 65-year-old Janesville man was arrested in Columbia County after a deputy reported observing his SUV weave and cross its lane on Interstate 90/94, authorities said.
Mark Carlson was stopped around 9:25 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, near mile marker 115 in Dekorra Township, according to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. The deputy had been traveling eastbound near the County Highway CS exit when he noticed a silver SUV traveling in the center lane at speeds fluctuating between 60 and 65 mph.
The deputy initially planned to pass the SUV but continued watching after seeing it weave within its lane, the Sheriff’s Office said. The deputy then reported that the SUV moved out of its lane without signaling and initiated a traffic stop.
During the stop, the deputy detected the smell of intoxicants coming from the vehicle and observed other signs of impairment, authorities said. Carlson initially agreed to standardized field sobriety testing but later declined to continue, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators said the deputy determined there was probable cause to arrest Carlson. He was taken to the Columbia County Jail and booked on allegations of sixth-offense operating while intoxicated, failing to install an ignition interlock device, operating after revocation and violating probation.
The charges are allegations. Carlson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.