March 13, 2015 at 3:45 p.m.
Couple arrested for OWI less than 2 hours apart
Couple arrested for OWI less than 2 hours apart
Matthew D. Klaver, 39, was booked into the Oneida County Jail just after midnight for OWI No. 3. At 1:42 a.m., his wife, Jennifer A. Klaver, was booked for OWI No. 4 after she had returned to the Woodpecker Bar where her husband was arrested and drove their vehicle home.
Deputies were dispatched to the Woodpecker after the bartender called 9-1-1 to report two people causing a disturbance. When deputies arrived they were directed to a car which Matthew Klaver was attempting to operate. According to the police report attached to the criminal complaint, Sgt. Sara Wolosek of the Oneida County Sheriff's Office parked her squad directly behind Klaver's vehicle.
"Before I could get out, Matthew put his car in reverse and struck my squad. I could hear a loud crunching noise. Matthew then put the car in drive, pulled forward at a high rate of speed, and struck the snow bank in front of him," Wolosek's report said.
The complaint states when deputies got Matthew Klaver out of the vehicle he told them that they could not arrest him because he was on private property. Wolosek then asked Klaver how long he had been drinking. He responded that he had been drinking all day because he was participating in a dart tournament. According to the report, he was placed through field sobriety tests, which the report says he failed. He was asked to take a preliminary breath test, but he refused. He was arrested and taken to Ministry St. Mary's Hospital for a blood draw.
Jennifer Klaver, who was sitting in the passenger seat of the vehicle, was placed in a cab and sent home due to her obvious intoxication level, according to the report.
Just before midnight, the bartender at the Woodpecker Bar called 9-1-1 to report that Jennifer Klaver had returned to the bar and was attempting to drive the vehicle home, but was allegedly so intoxicated she could not put the vehicle in reverse. While deputies were on the way, witnesses saw her leave the parking lot with the vehicle's headlights off.
When a deputy went to the Klaver residence, he found the vehicle parked in the garage with the motor still running. When he made contact with Jennifer Klaver, the report states she repeatedly denied driving the vehicle home from the bar. Her brother, Joseph R. Hiland, 28, initially told the deputy that he drove the vehicle home. He later admitted to driving Jennifer back to the bar and leaving her there.
Deputies at the bar found four witnesses who claimed to have seen Jennifer Klaver get in the vehicle and drive off.
When deputies tried to question Jennifer, Hiland told her not to answer their questions and questioned the legality of the deputy's actions. Deputies eventually took Jennifer to the hospital to conduct the field sobriety tests, which the report says she failed. Once deputies got Jennifer to the hospital, she refused a blood draw and a search warrant was obtained.
Both Klavers made initial court appearances Monday afternoon via video from the Oneida County Jail. Branch I judge Michael Bloom presided over both hearings. Both defendants requested a lawyer and Bloom set the matter over until April 6. Bloom set a $2,000 signature bond in Matthew's case and $3,000 signature bond for Jennifer.
Matthew faces up to 45 days in jail and a fine between $600 and $2,000 while Jennifer could be sentenced to up to six days in jail and a fine between $600 to $2,000. Because both are repeat offenders, they could both receive enhanced sentences of up to three years in prison.
Jamie Taylor may be reached at [email protected].
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