Intoxicated Driver Steers Car Into Lake Waubesa
March 24, 2010
Lt. David Karls
Phone:(608) 284-6153
FAX:(608) 284-6043
Sheriff's Office
At 9:40 pm, Dane County Deputies and McFarland Fire and EMS, were dispatched to the 4300 block of McConnell Street, in the Town of Dunn, for a report of a car driven partially into Lake Waubesa. Upon arrival, Deputies observed a 1994 Toyota Celica with the front end partially in the lake.
Deputies made contact with the driver, Ian S. Vaver, age 25, who exhibited signs of intoxication. Vaver expressed concern for his two passengers, however no other individuals were observed in or around the car. After extensive interviews with Vaver, and identifying and interviewing the two individuals Vaver named as passengers, there is no credible information to believe anyone other than Vaver was in the car at the time of the crash.
Due to the nature and location of the crash, along with the potential of other passengers who may have ended up in the lake, Dane County Sheriff’s Office Marine and Trail Enforcement personnel responded with an airboat to assist in search efforts. McFarland Fire Department also responded with a boat and assisted in the search. The location where the car entered the lake is relatively shallow and reported to be less than two feet deep. An extensive search did not yield any signs of other vehicle occupants.
Vaver was arrested for Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Intoxicants, and issued a citation for Inattentive Driving. After processing Vaver, who was not injured in the crash, he was released to a responsible party.