Warren County prosecutors have issued a felony charge for driving while intoxicated against a repeat offender who they say had an open can of alcohol when he was pulled over.
Chris M. Orso, 32, …
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Warren County prosecutors have issued a felony charge for driving while intoxicated against a repeat offender who they say had an open can of alcohol when he was pulled over.
Chris M. Orso, 32, of Warrenton, was charged last week with ‘aggravated’ DWI (meaning he has at least three prior DWI convictions), as well driving while his license is revoked and exceeding the speed limit by more than 40 mph.
The charges stem from a traffic stop in June, during which Orso was driving a black SUV going 40 mph on Warrior Avenue in Warrenton, according to a Warrenton Police report filed in court. The speed limit in the area is 20 mph.
When a Warrenton police officer pulled Orso over, he allegedly spoke with slurred speech and displayed physical symptoms of intoxication. The officer reported that an open can of Mike’s Hard Lemonade was in plain view in the center console of the vehicle, with condensation still present on the outside of the can.
Orso allegedly admitted to being intoxicated, according to police, but refused to participate in field sobriety tests. He was arrested and taken to the Warren County Jail. He once again refused to provide a breath or blood sample for testing, but police allege that he verbally admitted to drinking “a case” of beer at his residence prior to the traffic stop, and that he was intoxicated when he was pulled over.
Police say Orso has three prior convictions for alcohol-related offenses, all within St. Charles County or the St. Louis region.
Orso’s driver license was previously revoked, police added.
A warrant has been issued for Orso to be taken into custody. Afterward, the court has authorized him to be released on his own recognizance, under conditions that prohibit his access to alcohol and require him to submit to breath or blood tests at the request of law enforcement.