Driving drugged, a man was found in his car parked in the middle of an offramp on Interstate 94 on Saturday.
Adrian Mata, 37, of Waukesha, was charged by the Racine County District Attorney’s Office on Tuesday with driving under the influence (3rd offense), failing to install an ignition interlock device, possession of narcotics, and possession of drug paraphernalia. If convicted of all charges, Mata faces up to 10 years 2 1/2 months in prison and fined up to $13,100.
According to a criminal complaint, someone reported a car parked in the middle of the southbound Interstate 94 offramp at Seven Mile Road. Mata, who was driving the car, had a valid license. But he was supposed to have an Ignition Interlock device put on because of a prior drunk driving conviction. He was sleepy and had slurred speech, but spoke quickly. He told the officer he didn’t realize that he had stopped the car in the driving lane.
When deputies from the Racine County Sheriff’s Department searched Mata’s car they found drug paraphernalia and heroin. Mata told the deputy that he crushed and snorted suboxone about 30 minutes before being stopped. He did not have a prescription for the medication, which is used in the treatment of opioid addiction.
Released on a $1,500 cash bond, Mata has a preliminary hearing set for 8:30 a.m. Oct. 5.