Woodruff man arrested in Rhinelander for 5th OWI

Burt M. Kazlausky, 51 of Woodruff, was arrested in Rhinelander on July 28 and is being charged in Oneida County court with his fifth operating while intoxicated (OWI) offense, a class G felony.

Three of Kazlausky’s four prior OWIs occurred in Oneida County and the other one occurred in Vilas County. His last OWI occurred Oct. 1, 2002.

Oneida County dispatch received a report on July 28 at approximately 5:30 p.m. that a silver SUV traveling northbound on Coolidge Avenue had a “tire sheared off.”

Rhinelander police responded and were able to identify the vehicle at 646 Coolidge Avenue. Kazlausky was then identified as the driver. 

On their way to the scene, police noted in their arrest report that they observed marks on the road that lead to the silver SUV Kazlausky was driving. 

They subsequently saw the rear driver’s side tire broken from the axle and the tire was not in line with the vehicle. 

Police were informed by dispatch Kazlausky had four prior OWIs and had a 0.02 blood alcohol concentration restriction. 

Kazlausky told police he had come from a bar, where he had one beer, and another after he was driving. 

Police noted Kazlausky slurred his speech, had bloodshot and glassy eyes, and appeared to have a difficult time standing. 

According to the arrest report, Kazlausky agreed to take a field sobriety test.

After an eye test, multiple walk and turn tests and a one leg stand test, police observed Kazlausky showed five clues of impairment. 

Kazlausky was again asked how many alcoholic drinks he consumed. He told police three. 

A preliminary breath test showed he had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.159. Kazlausky was placed under arrest and agreed to have a blood test done. 

While leaving a nearby medical facility, police noted he said “I should have never even tried, I didn’t know that was gonna happen.”

Kazlausky was turned over to Oneida County jail staff “without incident.”

Upon conviction, Kazlausky faces being fined no more than $25,000, being imprisoned no more than 10 years, or both. He could also be subject to a lifetime revocation of his driver’s license, required alcohol related treatments, and future restrictions involving motor vehicles. 

He was released on a $1,500 cash bond set by judge Michael Schiek July 30. 

An adjourned initial appearance for Kazlausky was scheduled for Aug. 4 at 3:30 p.m. in Oneida County court. 

Trevor Greene may be reached via email at [email protected].