Port man sentenced to five years for seventh DUI

A Port Washington man guilty of driving while drunk for a seventh time was sentenced to five years in prison last week in Ozaukee County Circuit Court.

Jeremy W. Chart, 44, who pleaded guilty to the felony charge, was also sentenced by Judge Paul Malloy to five years of extended supervision.

Chart was arrested nearly a year ago after Port Washington police officer Ryan Hurda, who noticed Chart’s vehicle was overly loud and its brake lights were not working, pulled him over at 11:27 p.m. Friday, July 31, 2020, on Sunset Road near South Spring Street.

When Hurda, who recognized Chart from previous encounters, approached the vehicle, Chart attempted to hide his face and told the officer he did not have to answer his questions.

Hurda noted that Chart was slurring his words and his eyes were glassy and bloodshot.

While Hurda was checking Chart’s record, Chart opened the door of his vehicle and walked around it. Hurda addressed Chart by name and told him he was not free to leave. Chart responded by saying his name was not Jeremy, then walked toward a nearby apartment complex.

Hurda put his hand on Chart’s arm and was escorting him back to his vehicle when Chart tensed up. As Hurda attempted to handcuff him, a struggle ensued that ended after Hurda directed him to the pavement. Chart suffered lacerations to his face and Hurda suffered scrapes to his knees and a hand.

Hurda secured a warrant to have Chart’s blood drawn after he refused. At Aurora Medical Center in Grafton, Chart had to be handcuffed and held down while the blood sample was taken.

Because of his previous drunken driving convictions, Chart was prohibited from driving with a blood alcohol level of more than 0.02. The test showed he had an alcohol level of 0.215, according to the criminal complaint.