NEWS
Drunken driver faces 6 charges
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by Courtney Johnson
Friday, February 16, 2007
The man who hit a University of Wisconsin freshman with his car Monday night was formally charged with one felony and five misdemeanors Thursday.
Bradley Zika, 31, hit 18-year-old Patrica Wagner on the 800 block of Langdon Street while allegedly driving drunk. Wagner suffered a fractured skull, broken nose and fractured orbital as a result of the collision, and is still receiving treatment at a local hospital.
"The defendant responded when officers first interviewed him with the quote to the effect of 'My God, I'm so drunk,'" Asst. District Attorney Mike Verveer said at the arraignment. "Officers found several intoxicants in his motor vehicle, including an open bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey and an open can of beer."
Zika failed all field sobriety tests at the scene and was taken to a detoxification center because he was too intoxicated to be held at the Dane County jail, Verveer added.
This is the third time in less than a year Zika has been arrested for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. He was first charged with OWI in February 2006 and was charged with another count of OWI in November 2006.
His license was suspended after the first OWI charge and suspended again later, after he failed to comply with an alcohol assessment program.
Zika is charged with a felony for "causing bodily harm while intoxicated" and three misdemeanor counts of "bail-jumping," stemming from his previous OWI charges and a charge of battery and disorderly conduct from June 2006. His bond was set at $6,000.
"Given all of that, the state is absolutely concerned that the defendant is a threat to the community and our public safety," Verveer said. "[H]e's had now three drunk drivings in a less than (a) one-year time period."
As part of Zika's bond agreement, the court requested that he not operate a motor vehicle under any circumstances and not consume alcohol.
"Mr. Zika is just out of control at this point, and something needs to be done to protect members of the public from the risk of great bodily harm or other significant injury," court commissioner Jason Hanson said at the arraignment.
Zika's other two misdemeanors include his latest OWI and one for criminal destruction of property, stemming from his time at detox after the Langdon Street collision. While held at the hospital, Zika allegedly destroyed his bed and used pieces of it to attempt to pry the window open and escape.
Each of Zika's misdemeanors carries about one year in prison and additional fines. If convicted of a felony for causing bodily harm, Zika could face up to 12 and a half years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
"If it wasn't for the fact that Patrica Wagner has sustained such severe injuries, he would not be charged with the felony," Verveer said in a phone interview. "Frankly, it's a bit of a miracle that Zika did not kill her."
Zika's attorney, Gina Bosben, said her client recently began an intensive out-patient alcohol treatment program, and he hopes he can continue his recovery.
"He realizes that he has a serious problem with alcohol and is very sorry for these circumstances," Bosben said at the arraignment.
As part of his bond agreement, Zika will report to the Dane County Bail Monitoring Program, which keeps track of people with pending cases who are not held at the jail. To ensure Zika maintains his agreement to not consume alcohol, he will be required to breathe into a device in his home several times a day that will determine his blood alcohol level, Verveer said.
When questioned by police at the crime scene, Zika said he was coming from East Washington Avenue and driving to his home in Mount Horeb, Verveer said. When police arrived at the scene, Zika was found sitting on a curb in the snow, smoking a cigarette.
Zika's next court date is scheduled for Feb. 22, when he will have a preliminary hearing.
Anonymous (February 16, 2007 @ 11:28am):
"As part of Zika's bond agreement, the court requested that he not operate a motor vehicle under any circumstances and not consume alcohol."
Who wants to bet that he violates both? This guy is scum and I hope he enjoys his nice stay in jail.
-Mr. Pirate
Anonymous (February 16, 2007 @ 12:40pm):
So does someone have to die for the state to take drunk driving more seriously? Even then the penalties in the US are a joke. A woman from my hometown killed a boy while driving drunk and high and she spent less than a year in prison, only to continue drinking and driving once released... when does it end?
Anonymous (February 16, 2007 @ 2:57pm):
This guy destroyed my very nice mitsubishi while it was parked on Johnson Street last year, while he was drunk of course. What a menace. It's worth the 2000$ he still owes me to have this menace off the street and in jail.
Anonymous (February 21, 2007 @ 9:50pm):
What court will he be in tomorrow and what time?
Anonymous (March 7, 2007 @ 12:16pm):
I always accepted resposibility for the OWI's I have recieved. When I damaged two cars a year ago I accepted the resposibilities. I called the police my self and I waited at the scene and admitted to being drunk. The police remain anonymous and you can delete this part if neccessary.
I hit two cars, called the cops. They arrived I didn't even think about fleeing that is unlawful . The cops were hoping I would pass a field sobriety test but I denied. I knew I had too much yeah mabye it was just an accident. I am paying for the damages caused monthly under payment agreement. A person can only afford so much and living expenses and raising children. I will not be in any more trouble I have a disease it's called alcoholism. Many people have it and you should check yourself because this can happen to anyone.
I will NOT consume alcohol or drive. This is the least I can do. This is my bond agreement and I am a resposible person. THis is my punishment. Driving is a privledge and I abused it. This could happen to anyone and I am so sorry and cry and pray for the Wagner family everyday. I pray that God sends peace and that people learn from example. Keep in mind you could find yourself in rehab someday too. Only real men quit when nessasary and only real men accept what they have done resposibly. I am offended when I was in jail people told me I should have fled. NO WAY. That is the dumbest idea I ever heard of. I will not drink ever again I hate booze. It killed me and now that I am sober I am alive, a real man. Open your eyes people. Alcohism is the biggest killer next to Aids and Cancer. We freely offer it on every corner in town. After 9 p.m. people drive to bars every day and get drunk. After work, at nine in the morning. Alcohol is more addictive than Pot, cocaine, and many other drugs because it is so easily availiable. It's rediculus! Has anyone ever heard of a person getting in car accidents or hitting people when they're high on pot. ALCOHOL SHOULD BE BANNED COMPLETELY. It is destroying our people. How many college students have dropped out because of partying, or been arrested, or even gotten killed. Missed a final exam, or failed a class. The list goes on. Make a better person out of yourself. STOP DRINKING. Life is way more important the a Bud Light. It is so stupid and I hate the influence booze has had on my life. It is evil, it controls me and I am a slave. If you drink, you are subjecting yourself to slavery of the bottle. OPEN YOU EYES!
I am so sorry Miss Wagner and everyone I affected. You are in my prayers and many others. I don't expect forgiveness. I am not worthy. I am scum.
you know who this is,
Z
Anonymous (August 11, 2007 @ 6:54pm):
Z It takes more than I'm sorry, it's going the 12 steps. Seek Gods forgiveness. Then seek forgiveness from all you have harmed. Things can be replaced but human life can't be. What you almost took from this family, well imagine if you lost one of your children. Get help, work the program. Pay all that is owed, stand up and be a man.
Hope you get my point.
Anonymous (April 20, 2008 @ 10:57am):
I bet he will continue to drive and drink..he always did
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