Police: 20-year-old man arrested for OWI after crashing vehicle into Lake Wisconsin

WEST POINT, Wis. (WFRV) – Authorities in central Wisconsin say a 20-year-old who crashed his vehicle into Lake Wisconsin was the reason the Merrimac Ferry was closed.

The Columbia County Sheriff's Office posted on its Facebook page an incident in which a vehicle crashed into the water while the Highway 113 ferry was passing. On June 13 around 11 p.m., authorities were informed of the incident.

It was later learned that two people had gotten out of the vehicle and were swimming toward shore.

When police arrived on scene, they found the two people in the vehicle. The passenger was reportedly injured and taken to hospital.

During the investigation, the police allegedly saw indicators indicating that the driver was impaired by alcohol. It was later confirmed that the driver was intoxicated, authorities said.

The driver was identified as a 20-year-old man from Sun Prairie. He was sent to the Columbia County Jail.

The vehicle was pulled from the water a day later. The statement noted that the vehicle did not hit the ferry, but that an inspection was necessary to ensure that the vehicle did not cause any damage.

The ferry would remain closed until the inspection took place. The release said it is expected to reopen on June 14.

Multiple agencies assisted the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.

No additional information was provided.