Drunk driver strikes Neenah police squad

Neenah Officer Wes Bone was on patrol in a marked squad in the early morning hours of Saturday, February 2.  As he stopped at the flashing red light at Main Street and Green Bay Road, his squad was struck from behind by another vehicle, causing roughly $5,000 in damage to the police car.

The officer was not hurt, and he quickly checked to make sure the other driver was also unharmed.  During this contact, Officer Bone noted symptoms of alcoholic intoxication.  Another officer who was working nearby as part of the Winnebago County Drunk Driving Task Force came and assisted with the Operating While Intoxicated investigation.

The driver did poorly on sobriety tests, and was arrested at the scene.  He received citations for Operating While Intoxicated and Operating with a Prohibited Alcohol Content. 

Further investigation revealed numerous other violations which resulted in additional citations, including those for Operating with a Suspended License, Failing to Maintain Vehicle Insurance, and Operating a Vehicle with Expired Registration.  The registration had been expired for over 3 years. The arrested driver explained that he was returning to a bar where he had forgotten something earlier in the evening.

The driver was identified as Charley D. Campbell, 33 yrs old, of Menasha.

Neenah Police Chief Kevin Wilkinson commented, "As odd as this incident was, it should be a reminder to all of us that drunk drivers are still out there jeopardizing safety and costing the taxpayer money.  Thankfully, in this case no one was hurt."