Woman Drove Drunk with 11-Year-Old Nephew in Car, Police Say

A 35-year-old Milwaukee woman faces prison time and an extended period without her license after police say she drove drunk for the fifth time since 2001.

Cynthia Hamilton was charged with fifth offense operating while intoxicated, a felony, April 30 in Milwaukee County Circuit Court.

If convicted, she faces $10,000 in fines and 6 1/2 years of imprisonment. Those penalties could be enhanced based on alcohol concentration levels – results of the blood test are pending – and the allegation that she was driving with a child under the age of 16 as a passenger.

Hamilton, who had prior OWI convictions in 2001 and 2006 and two in 2007, could also have her driving privileges revoked for 2-3 years.

According to court documents, on April 28 at 10:35 a.m. two Greenfield officers were dispatched to Valvoline Oil Change, 4839 S. 27th St., for a report of two women arguing. A witness told police one of the women was trying to keep the other from getting keys for a Dodge Dakota truck and driving off because she was concerned she was impaired.

The other woman was Cynthia Hamilton’s sister, who told police Cynthia had picked up both her and her 11-year-old son. She noticed her sister swerving in the roadway and told her to pull over in the Valvoline parking lot. Cynthia’s sister took the keys from the ignition, but Cynthia kept trying to get them back, her sister told police.

Cynthia Hamilton failed field sobriety tests and was arrested.