Pewaukee man charged with severely injuring jogger
Waukesha – A 21-year-old Village of Pewaukee man, convicted last year in a major heroin ring, was charged this afternoon with driving under the influence of heroin Sunday morning and his vehicle hitting and severely injuring a 44-year-old jogger.
Thomas A. Brinkman of 516 Park Ave. was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court with reckless driving causing great bodily harm and operating while intoxicated causing injury. This is Brinkman’s second arrest for drunken driving.
The victim, Gregory Phelps, 44, of the Village of Pewaukee, was taken to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa with severe injuries.
According to the criminal complaint, Brinkman was driving on Capitol Drive when witnesses saw Brinkman’s vehicle hit a curb and hit Phelps, who was jogging on the north side of Capitol Drive near Ormsby Street. Phelps apparently flew onto the hood of the vehicle as the vehicle’s windshield was damaged considerably.
Phelps was bleeding profusely from a large cut to the back of his head, and also may have had broken ribs. According to police, Phelp’s wife told them that hospital personnel informed her that Phelps had severe brain swelling ,and surgeons removed a clot from his brain.
Brinkman was sentenced in Circuit Court in May 2009 to 3-1/2 years in prison followed by 2-1/2 years of extended supervision on a felony count of manufacture/delivery of heroin. Brinkman was released earlier this year from prison as he was determined not to be a violent offender, according to police.
Brinkman was one of 27 people arrested in July 2008 for a heroin ring that stretched from Chicago to Milwaukee and into Waukesha County.
Court Commissioner Martin Binn ordered Brinkman held on $10,000 cash bail. He is scheduled to appear in court Thursday.
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77 Comments
jlkbm - Nov 29, 2010 3:58 PM
Thank goodness for the witnesses who were the ones to help Mr. Phelps initially.
ASKBRIAN - Nov 29, 2010 4:50 PM
Bob Palindrome - Nov 29, 2010 5:17 PM
Will the Sentinel Journal ask the district attorney this question????
Bob Palindrome - Nov 29, 2010 5:26 PM
Thomas A. Brinkman was released under Doyle's early release program since he is considered "non-violent".
"Brinkman was sentenced in Circuit Court in May 2009 to 3-1/2 years in prison followed by 2-1/2 years of extended supervision on a felony count of manufacture/delivery of heroin. Brinkman was released earlier this year from prison as he was determined not to be a violent offender, according to police.
Brinkman was one of 27 people arrested in July 2008 for a heroin ring that stretched from Chicago to Milwaukee and into Waukesha County. "
Good thing Doyle had this guy release because he was perfectly harmless.....
Tommie - Nov 29, 2010 8:02 PM
jlkbm - Nov 29, 2010 8:42 PM
And that would have been wrong how?
Man on Grassy Knoll - Nov 29, 2010 8:49 PM
Of course on mention is made of Doyle, this is a Journal Company property. The early release program was Doyle's and the Democratically controlled legislature. Doyle signed the bill as part of a cost cutting measure in the last budget. but, hey, if you are not a big fan of facts and it works in your world then who I am to say differently?
What is with the thing about concealed carry? That was non-linear. Maybe put down the Angry Liberal pipe and give a though to the poor guy that got hit by a druggie that was put on the streets directly by Governor Doyle’s policy decision.
BeWaryofAssumption - Nov 29, 2010 10:31 PM
Were you guys there???... Do you know Mr. Brinkman???... the bigotry and ignorace here within these comments is truly unbecoming and an unfortunately prospering theme of cynicism within the southeastern Wisco community.
Do I condone his ill advised life choices, obviously not, but it also doesnt give me the right to slander him anonymously through the veil of cyberspace.
I went to Pewaukee high school with Tommy and can attest to him being a sincerely good human being with a quirky sense of humor and a kind heart.
Tommy will now face the obvious judicial consequences of his unfortunate actions and I pray for him and his family.
In the end God is the only true judgement of character.
bee guy - Nov 29, 2010 10:34 PM
Fafelix - Nov 29, 2010 11:07 PM
ArtEros1624 - Nov 29, 2010 11:09 PM
tragedy. Firstly, I hope that Mr. Phelps has a speedy recovery and is alright. It is
a horrible thing that has happened, but I don't think many of the people making
comments have any idea what they are talking about. Drugs, especially heroin,
ruin people's lives; but it is a complicated problem to deal with.
Tom spent his time in prison, something that usually does NO good for addicts,
and then was released. Regardless if it was early or not, these judgement calls
are not for ANY of you to make. I have seen drunk drivers hit people, hurting or
even killing them, after 5 or even 6 DUI's and people still don't make them out to
be half as bad as you people are making Tom out to be. Yes, he made mistakes,
and I am not saying what happened was okay in anyway.
However, drugs are complicated and very hard to kick. I know Tom and his
family, and he is a good person, that has made mistakes. I am sure he feels
absolutely horrible for what he has done, but sometimes heroin takes ahold of
you and does not let go.
Before ANY of you start to judge someone, STOP. I am sure not a single one of
you understands what is it like to have an addiction such as heroin, which is a
good thing, but not when you are trying to understand other's lives. I think that
many of you could have been in a similar situation after a few drinks at the bar.
For some reason people think that 2,3,4+ DUI's is okay, or at least better than
being a drug addict. Well think twice, especially before you attack something you
don't even understand.
ArtEros1624 - Nov 29, 2010 11:14 PM
but he will have a terrible effect on a tax paying honorable citizen runnning on the
side walk minding his own business."
You are the type of person we are paying OUR tax dollars to employ? God Help
Us. I think that you need to be a little more objective before you start spouting off
about things that you are not qualified to speak on. Just because people make
mistakes and get pulled into drugs, DOES NOT mean they are bad people, or that
they have nothing to contribute to society. I think that your ignorance is not
something that should be in a county government position.
Fafelix - Nov 29, 2010 11:48 PM
BeWaryofAssumption - Nov 30, 2010 12:56 AM
Im sorry but you sir are an idiot! plain and simple, also a typecast for the reason in our 21st century america we can't enjoy a society were freedom of speech, thought, and expression are 100% tolerated without 1960's esque dissension. You consider youself mistake free under the scrutiny of God?... He who is without sin casts the first stone?
Just another ignorant totalitarian robot calling for the further restriction of our already mythical freedoms, and advocating the expansion of police and govt. involvement in human life.
Next time you decide to get on your proverbial internet soapbox and slander a soul I challenge you to take an imaginary ride in the accused's shoes. Please think like a human being, not a drone. Thank you. Come again.
Man on Grassy Knoll - Nov 30, 2010 8:32 AM
“Were you guys there???”
Of course none of us were there and do not know this fine upstanding “good human being”. We have been presented with a series of purported facts and passed judgment based on those.
“ the bigotry and ignorance here within these comments is truly unbecoming and an unfortunately prospering theme of cynicism within the southeastern Wisco community.”
How is it bigoted to comment on what is reported? Are we showing intolerance for drug users that injure other people through their actions? OF COURSE we are. It is in societies interest to not tolerate individuals that engage in self-destructive behavior that impacts others. There is nothing wrong with shaming people who use heroine and then hit someone with a car. Hopefully others considering similar life styles choices will be dissuaded from following a similar path
“Do I condone his ill advised life choices, obviously not, but it also doesnt give me the right to slander him anonymously through the veil of cyberspace.”
How has this poor, poor man’s reputation been unjustly damaged?
“In the end God is the only true judgement of character”
What a self-righteous load. We judge people every time we talk to them. When we meet someone for the first time we judge them. When we read of a horrific act in the paper we judge them. If judging other’s character is wrong then our very existence is wrong. That is a premise that is ludicrous on its face.
Judger - Nov 30, 2010 9:42 AM
Information in the affidavit alleges that the heroin sales conducted by this DTO have directly led to four overdose deaths in Waukesha County and one in Milwaukee County. Deaths occurred in the communities of Waukesha, Muskego, Pewaukee and Milwaukee. In addition, the affidavit alleges that six non-death overdose incidents occurred in Waukesha county. In at least four of these overdose incidents extreme measures were taken to keep the victim alive.
Judger - Nov 30, 2010 9:45 AM
The defendants were identified as Lonnie L. Johnson of Chicago (age: 31), Jermaine J. Stewart of Milwaukee (age: 24), Eneal D. Gladney of Milwaukee (age: 30), Keith D. Walker of Milwaukee (age: 20) Jeffrey L. Walker of Milwaukee (age: 38) Terrance L. Marshall of Milwaukee (age: 40), Luke J.
Bandkowski of Waukesha (age: 28), Michael J. Bandkowski of Waukesha (age: 29), Ross A. Huberty of Waukesha (age: 21), Jean C. Lawler of Fayetteville NC (age: 22), Jason M. Lund of Wauwatosa (age: 23), Justin B. Hager of Waukesha (age: 24), Candice J. Haid of Waukesha (age: 20), Michael J. Zivnuska of Menomonee Falls (age: 22), Nathalee K. Romeo of Waukesha (age: 20), Marlana J. Socha of Pewaukee (age: 20), Thomas A. Brinkman of Pewaukee (age: 19), Eric A. Russell of Pewaukee (age: 19), Adam McCormack of Delafield (age: 28), Bryant Abkes- Knight of Pewaukee (age: 18), Leroy K. Rushing of Pewaukee (age: 21), Brittney M. Dorshak of Muskego (age: 20), Kayla Stefaniak of Muskego (age: 24), Jennifer Topczewski of Muskego (age: 24), Donald A. Erickson of Appleton (age: 33), Kallie M. Klappa of Muskego (age: 22) and Michelle M. Turner of Pewaukee (age: 20).
BeWaryofAssumption - Nov 30, 2010 11:22 AM
Of course its human nature to judge through first hand experience, but theres a pretty explicit difference between judging the kid firsthand or judging the kid through words on a page. Shouldn't it then be your duty to educate yourself on a firsthand basis before deeming yourself worthy to comment on another?
Go to county. Talk to this kid for ten minutes. Come back here and report your findings. Otherwise save your ignorant slanderings for topics that suit them better.
Buying into Media , (aka) Agenda-driven words on paper, is a scary trend for society.
Im sorry but you just come off as a psuedo-evangical, cynical, middle-aged hack...
Just out of curiosity what are your political affiliations?
JimCC - Nov 30, 2010 12:39 PM
alcohol, narcotics, or tranquilizers. First offense should be no driving for at least 10
years. Second means jail time. Any injury means jail time. Any loss of life should be
treated as a homicide.
Of course, with our drinking culture here in WI and the tavern lobby, that is unlikely.