Off-duty cop who died after crashing into big rig had BAC three times the legal limit

An off-duty police officer who died last month after colliding with a semi truck had a BAC three times the legal limit for driving, according to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office.

On January 4, the the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office released a toxicology report on the death of 30 year old Milwaukee Police Department officer James Nowak.

The report stated that Nowak’s Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) was .241, three times the legal limit of .08 at the time that the crash occurred.

The crash involving Nowak occurred at 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 3, in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.

Police say Nowak was southbound on S. Pennsylvania Avenue. A semi truck driver was also headed southbound on S. Pennsylvania Avenue ahead of Nowak’s vehicle. When the semi truck driver attempted a U-turn, Nowak’s vehicle struck the trailer.

The truck driver and a passenger were not hurt in the crash. Police say both people remained on the scene and cooperated with the investigation.

Nowak required extrication from the vehicle by local firefighters. He was transported to a nearby hospital. He passed away three days later.