Press Release - Elected Official Cited for OWI
Date: April 5, 2014
No: 14-11
Subject: Elected Official Cited for OWI
Arrested: WILLIAM R. CHIAPETE, Racine Co. District Attorney
Operating While Intoxicated 1st Offense - 346.63(1)(a)
Hit and Run – Property Damage – 346.69
On Friday April 4, 2014 at 10:04 p.m. Racine Police responded to a single vehicle accident at Melvin Avenue and N. Main Street (vehicle vs. traffic signal). Officers were advised that the operator of the vehicle left the scene.
Responding officers located an unoccupied 2004 Volkswagen at the scene. Further investigation revealed the vehicle involved in this accident struck a traffic signal and a tree near the intersection. Officers responded to the residence of the registered owner, at which time it was determined that Racine County District Attorney William CHIAPETE was the operator of the vehicle at the time of incident.
Based on information obtained during the preliminary accident investigation, CHIAPETE was arrested on the charge of 1st Offense OVWI, a Municipal offense in the State of Wisconsin. As a result of leaving the scene without making proper notification, CHIAPETE was issued a Municipal citation for “duty upon striking property,” also referred to as hit & run on/or adjacent to highway.
Due to the high-profile nature of this investigation involving a public official, Racine Police Chief Howell prepared the following statement for media release:
"On those occasions when it becomes necessary to conduct investigations involving public officials, members of the law enforcement community or other high-profile incidents, the integrity of the law enforcement profession is rightfully under public review. As the administrative manager of the Racine Police Department, I would like to take this opportunity to ensure members of the public that this investigation was handled in a manner consistent with similar investigations, that being with professionalism and impartiality.
I would like to publicly acknowledge the work performed by Racine Police officers, who, while investigating this politically sensitive matter, placed their Constitutional duty above their professional relationships. Along with oversight review from an external law enforcement agency, I will continue to monitor the facts involved in this case to affirm that the highest standards of professional police conduct were applied during this investigation."
Racine Police traffic investigators are interested in any additional information that you may have regarding this accident investigation. You are urged to call the Racine Police Department Traffic Unit at 262-635-7816.
Sgt. Jessie Metoyer
Public Information Officer
Address/Location
Racine, WI Police Department
730 Center St
Racine, WI 53403
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 262-635-7700