The serene night along Interstate 94 near Milwaukee's Marquette Interchange turned chaotic when law enforcement encountered an unexpected threat.
According to Fox News, a potentially dangerous situation unfolded at approximately 8:20 p.m. Monday when a suspected intoxicated driver headed westbound in eastbound lanes, nearly colliding with Vice President Kamala Harris' motorcade.
Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office deputies observed an SUV traveling in the wrong direction, creating an imminent hazard as it approached the Vice President's security detail. The quick response by law enforcement prevented what could have been a catastrophic incident.
The 55-year-old male driver was immediately intercepted by alert deputies who conducted field sobriety tests at the scene. The suspect failed multiple assessments, and officers discovered an open container of beer in his vehicle, providing additional evidence of impairment.
When informed about his near encounter with the Vice President's motorcade, the driver exhibited genuine shock. According to the arrest report, he had no recollection of entering the freeway or almost causing a collision with the motorcade vehicles.
The suspect remains in custody without bail, facing recommended charges of operating while intoxicated and recklessly endangering safety, though formal charges were pending as of Tuesday night.
Secret Service spokesperson Joe Routh provided an official statement acknowledging the incident:
We are aware of the incident involving a motorist traveling in the opposite direction on the highway while the Vice President was in her motorcade. We are grateful to the Milwaukee Sheriff's Office for their response which allowed them to stop the motorist and take the driver into custody for DUI.
The coordination between federal and local law enforcement demonstrated the effectiveness of security protocols designed to protect high-ranking government officials during travel.
The investigation revealed that the driver had no premeditated intention to harm Vice President Harris or anyone associated with her campaign, as evidenced by his surprised reaction upon learning about the motorcade's presence.
The incident occurred during Harris' active campaign schedule in Wisconsin. Just days before the security breach, she had addressed supporters at the Resch Expo Center in Green Bay, demonstrating her ongoing engagement with voters in this crucial battleground state.
The Vice President maintained her demanding campaign itinerary, including a recent appearance at Divine Faith Ministries International in Jonesboro, Georgia, highlighting the continuous challenges faced by her security detail across multiple states.
Despite the potential danger, no injuries were reported during the incident, thanks to the vigilant response of law enforcement personnel.
A suspected drunk driver nearly collided with Vice President Harris' motorcade while traveling the wrong way on a Milwaukee interstate. The 55-year-old driver failed multiple sobriety tests and had an open beer container in his vehicle. Law enforcement successfully intercepted the threat before any harm occurred. The incident took place during Harris' campaign activities in Wisconsin. The suspect remains in custody without bail, facing serious charges related to the security breach.
