Trip into lagoon results in drunken driving charges
A Beloit man was arrested Friday on a charge of drunken driving, fourth offense, after he drove his car into the Traxler Park Lagoon.
Chad Pike, 36, of 1507 Forest Ave., Beloit, was “extremely intoxicated” when he drove into the park—and then into the lagoon—at about 8 p.m. Friday, according to Janesville police. Pike was alone in the car.
Pike was already floundering toward the shore when officers arrived at the scene. Firefighters eventually used a rope to haul Pike onto shore.
Only the top of Pike’s blue Chevy Corsica was showing, and the fire department sent in a dive team to make sure Pike was the sole occupant of the car.
During the short rescue effort, no traffic was allowed into the park.
Pike sustained minor injuries and was transported to Mercy Hospital for medical attention.
His condition was not available at press time.
Nov 30, 2009 at 9:02 a.m.
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This is my uncle! Now, i am not making excuses for him because this is ridiculous! he has severe depression problems and doesnt know how to cope correctly. I am seeking out to him and we are going to find some alternatives! He DOES have a valid license. Im very glad he did not kill anybody or himself. Also, he does not do any kind of drug besides alcohol. He never has and he never will. For you all you immature people on here, please be aware this is a good person!
Nov 15, 2009 at 2:17 p.m.
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Saw them pull the car out, it took them 2 trys to get the car out lol
Nov 15, 2009 at 9:15 a.m.
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To the Joker are you for real are you sure your not HIGH right now
Nov 15, 2009 at 8:42 a.m.
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He was trying to put his boat in but forgot the boat! LOL
Nov 15, 2009 at 12:15 a.m.
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crazy drunk drivers
Nov 14, 2009 at 7:08 p.m.
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maybe he was trying to take the river home and turned right instead of left.
Nov 14, 2009 at 6:59 p.m.
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I like how some of you assume he had the right to drive. I don't recall reading the part where they said if he had a license or not. I guess I will have to read it again. As far as reimbursing the city to remove his vehicle from the water, I haven't seen many city tow trucks I'm sure he will pay whatever costs were associated with the removal of the vehicle! He should have to pay for expenses to send a diver in to make sure no one else was involved and may still have to as it only happened yesterday!
Nov 14, 2009 at 6 p.m.
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He seen the Red Tahoe parked out there all winter. give him a break...:)
Nov 14, 2009 at 4:47 p.m.
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I have now heard "floundering" and "rabid ringtail lemurs" in one day.
I can sleep tonight totally fulfilled.
LOL
Nov 14, 2009 at 3:24 p.m.
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it was Friday the 13th!... maybe he saw "Jason"?
Nov 14, 2009 at 2:17 p.m.
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So there are those who actually expect that driving drunk means you're put away forever? What planet are you living on? Everybody gets out eventually. Even people who commit murder do not always go away for life. You guys have got to quit being astonished that someone with an alcohol problem doesn't stop being a problem just because they went to jail.
Nov 14, 2009 at 1:37 p.m.
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I've finally figured out why Illinois drivers zip through Wisconsin: to get from point 'A' to point 'B' quickly thus reducing the risk of being hit by yet another drunken Wisconsin driver. What is it with cheeseheads who insist on driving drunk - nothing better to do?
Nov 14, 2009 at 1:03 p.m.
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Did anyone have November 13 at 8pm as the time the vehicle would fall through the ice? They may have just won a prize.
Nov 14, 2009 at 11:58 a.m.
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Better the lagoon than another vehicle or person. But again, drunk driving laws are not strong enough. He should lose his right to own a vehicle or drive. In addition, he should have to reimburse the city for costs to drag his vehicle and sorry butt out of the lagoon.
Nov 14, 2009 at 10:55 a.m.
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rofra...
...you are missing that his last conviction was over 9 years ago. May of 2000, to be more accurate.
Just how long do you think he should have been in jail for?
Nov 14, 2009 at 10:45 a.m.
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What am I missing here? This is the fourth offense and the guy is still driving, and not in jail? We have to clean this type of thing up. Luckily no innocents were injured by this idiot.
Nov 14, 2009 at 10:42 a.m.
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**correction - Tuesday's public record**
Nov 14, 2009 at 10:35 a.m.
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Wow - this has been a memorable week for Janesville - we have morons shooting guns out their windows, idiots driving into (and floundering out of) lagoons and burglary reports filed over $3 boxes of fruit snacks (Sunday or Monday's public record). What's next?? Rabid ringtail lemurs taking over the downtown area? Good lord!
It must be Diamond Jim Doyle's fault.
Nov 14, 2009 at 10:28 a.m.
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I absolutely LOVE that they used the word "floundering". That just made my Saturday morning, LMAO.
Nov 14, 2009 at 9:13 a.m.
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Well, it's an easy guess that he was driving north from a Main Street establishment, which would have taken him right into the park. That's a mistake somebody from Beloit would be more likely to make.
Nov 14, 2009 at 9:03 a.m.
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Localboy, maybe he came to Janesville so he could buy drugs?!
Nov 14, 2009 at 7:08 a.m.
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Another derelict from Beloit coming up to Janesville to drag down our local statistics.
Nov 14, 2009 at 6:19 a.m.
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Will the district attorney "make him an offer he can't refuse"?
Nov 14, 2009 at 6:02 a.m.
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It's Bush's fault
Nov 14, 2009 at 5:30 a.m.
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OneLife - you're probably referring to high school kids at "school time" but it's scary watching moms drop off kids with a latte in one hand and a cell phone in the other.
Nov 14, 2009 at 3:54 a.m.
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elmooso: OMG! How I forgot that is a mystery to me. Thanks for the clarification.
Nov 14, 2009 at 12:55 a.m.
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"He sleeps with the fishes" is the Godfather quote..Lucca Brazzi sleeps with the fishes..
Nov 14, 2009 at 12:09 a.m.
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Wisconsin needs to toughen up their DUI laws. Fourth time? It's ridiculous that this man was still allowed to drive after the first offense.
Nov 14, 2009 at 12:07 a.m.
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lol
Nov 13, 2009 at 11:54 p.m.
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NVgrf, so it's NOT Obama's fault that he drove intoxicated into the lagoon? Wow-- I'm appalled that you didn't point that finger!!!
Nov 13, 2009 at 11:27 p.m.
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Get a police scanner people. And you will stay off the road on the weekend. and at school times. crazy
Nov 13, 2009 at 11:09 p.m.
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And Chad was a lifeguard at Rockport Pool. So sad!
Nov 13, 2009 at 11:04 p.m.
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I like that description: "floundering". As they said in The Godfather: "He swims with the fishes."
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