Denmark wreck: serial impaired driver

Posted at 4:30 p.m. on March 10, 2021

The Brillion News

DENMARK, Wis. - The Brown County Sheriff's Department said a daytime crash on I-43 near Denmark on Monday afternoon (March 8) involved a woman with a history of driving while intoxicated.

The crash happened on I-43 near State 96 near the Denmark interchange on Monday March 8 at 12:54 p.m.

The sheriff's department closed I-43 for over an hour while deputies investigated the crash.

Before this collision, the 9-1-1 center received calls about reckless driving and a side-swipe hit-and-run on eastbound State 172 in the Bellevue area.

Officers were told the vehicle continued south on I-43 and were given a vehicle description.

Shortly after that information went out to patrol cars, the same vehicle then lost control for no apparent reason as it was southbound on I-43.

It went through the cable barrier in the median and struck a northbound tractor and semi-trailer rig in the driver's side gas tank and trailer connection.

The truck jackknifed and the northbound lanes of the roadway were blocked

The driver of the reckless vehicle is identified as Brenda Tenpas, age 47 years, of Appleton.

She was trapped, had to be extricated and suffered significant injuries.

She was conscious at the scene. No one else was injured.

The sheriff's department said that Tenpas was significantly impaired and and is being charged with fifth offense operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

Tests results indicating the type and extent of her impairment are pending.