Madison Man Arrested For His 8th OWI Following Hit-And-Run In West Point

(West Point) A Madison man was arrested for his 8th OWI following a hit-and-run outside of Lodi. Around 11am Tuesday, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office received a report that a vehicle collided with a legally parked car along Rausch Road in the Township of West Point. Both vehicles received significant damage and the offending driver allegedly attempted to flee from the scene. He did not make it far because his vehicle stopped working just a short distance later. Area residents who were witnesses to the crash and an off-duty law enforcement officer reportedly found Ronald Garske still sitting inside his vehicle. The 54-year-old was taken into custody by a Columbia County Sheriff’s deputy and was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence 8th Offense, Operating After Revocation 2nd Offense, Obstructing Justice and Hit and Run. Sheriff Roger Brandner thanked the area residents as well as the off-duty cop who were instrumental in assisting the Sheriff’s Office in locating the suspect. The incident remains under investigation by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.