Dangerous Alcohol Levels Halloween Weekend

  • Incident date: October 26, 2013, 12:00 am
  • Incident type: Alcohol - Detox Conveyance
  • Location/address: UW Campus

While it was an overall safe, uneventful Halloween weekend on the UW-Madison campus, officers once again came across extremely dangerous drinking behavior that could have cost students their lives.

On Saturday morning at approximately 12:30 a.m., a Good Samaritan flagged down a UW-Madison Police officer, alerting them about an individual nearby who was found unconscious, laying on the ground. Officers were able to locate an 18-year old UW-Madison student passed out near the intersection of University Avenue and Breese Terrace. Officers were eventually able to wake up the man, who was unable to stand on his own and slurring his speech. He also vomited while in police custody. It was determined his BAC was .36 – he was taken to detox and issued an Underage Alcohol citation.

On Saturday evening at approximately 10:30 p.m. UWPD officers responded to University Avenue and East Campus Mall for a report of an unconscious man found lying on the ground. A 20-year old UW-Madison student was found passed out, covered in vomit. He was unable to stand on his own or speak, and was transported to detox. It was determined his BAC was .351 – he was also issued an Underage Alcohol citation.

In both cases, it’s very possible that the endings of these cases could have been very different if Good Samaritans hadn’t gotten involved and called for help. These extreme intoxication levels are a disturbing trend that could someday cost someone their life.