• 20
  • May
    2010

Milwaukee resident Centurie Baertlein was charged last year with homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle and is currently awaiting trial. If convicted, she could be in prison for the next 10 years. So why is she still driving?

In July of 2009, Baertlein was traveling with her husband on Highway 45 in Milwaukee. Both have admitted to being in the midst of a vicious argument at the time.

At one point, Baertlein jerked the wheel to the left, striking the side of a black SUV. Panicked, she pulled the wheel back to the right, cutting across lanes and striking Bob Perkins - throwing him from the back of his motorcycle.

Perkins later died from his injuries. Baertlein, charged with homicide, was released on bail while awaiting trial.

Less than a month after the car accident that killed Robert Perkins, Baertlein was pulled over in River Hills for speeding. After failing to pay her ticket off, she had her license suspended.

However, she didn't stop driving, and in December she was pulled over again for driving more than 20 mph over the speed limit. She received two tickets this time, one for speeding and one for driving with a suspended license.

She kept driving. Finally, in mid-May, Baertlein had her license reinstated. She is still awaiting trial for the death of Robert Perkins. 

The question is how a dangerous driver like Baertlein - her list of traffic violations goes back to 2005 - could be allowed to continue driving despite the homicide investigation, multiple speeding tickets and license suspensions.

Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke sees a solution and has asked Wisconsin lawmakers to adjust the penalties levied against drivers who have had their licenses suspended. He has requested the ability to impound cars belonging to suspended drivers until their licenses are reinstated.

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