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Story originally printed in the Winona Daily News or online at www.winonadailynews.com

Published - Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Fatal crash changes Wis. judge's handling of drunken drivers

WAUKESHA, Wis (AP) — A Waukesha judge says he will begin ordering drunken drivers to report to jail immediately after one was involved in a fatal crash during a two-week grace period.

Waukesha County Circuit Judge Lee Dreyfus Jr. told Waukesha County District Attorney Brad Schimel and defense attorneys of his new policy last week.

Dreyfus had allowed Mark Benson a two-week grace period before reporting to jail on a drunken driving conviction. Benson has since been charged with operating while under the influence of drugs and killing 39-year-old Jennifer Bukosky, her fetus and her daughter in an April 25 crash.

Waukesha County Circuit Judge J. Mac Davis says he would not be surprised if other judges also begin ordering drunken drivers to go directly to jail.