Appeals court rules deputy could give Onalaska man sobriety test

Almost four years after being charged with drunk driving, an Onalaska man loses a fight over his conviction. 

Christopher Vaaler’s appeal has been rejected by a Wisconsin appeals court. 

Vaaler was pulled over one night in January of 2017 for driving with his headlights off. 

He claims the sheriff’s deputy did not have probable cause to give him a sobriety test. 

But the appeals judges say the deputy stopped the car around bar-closing time, and Vaaler had an open can of beer in the car. 

Vaaler’s sentencing in the case has been delayed until his appeal could be heard.