Good Samaritans Help Stop Drunken Driving Suspect

A group of people helped stop a drunken driving suspect from getting back into his car at a West Side gas station, Madison police said.

Police were called to a Mobil Gas Station in the 8200 block of Watts Road around 10:45 p.m. Friday for reports of a suspected drunken driver. Witnesses were trying to stall Michael S. Cushing, 43, of Madison, until police arrived by surrounding him to keep him from getting back in his car, according to a police report.

Witnesses said Cushing was “swaying extremely badly” and had been “all over the road, striking several curbs while navigating through the roundabout near Pleasant View Road,” according to a police incident report. Witnesses also said they were afraid Cushing was going to drive into the gas station when he pulled into the lot.

Police said Cushing asked an officer if he could just follow him home since he only lived a block and a half away. The officer told Cushing that he actually lived several miles away and he needed to take a field sobriety test instead.

Police said the results of the field sobriety test showed Cushing was unable to safely drive, and police took him into custody.

Cushing admitted to driving to Madison from Prairie du Sac and said he had four to five beers but did not feel impaired, according to police.

Cushing is facing charges of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.