Union Grove man arrested for OWI while on parole for homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle

RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Union Grove man, who officials say was on parole for homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle, has been arrested after officials say he was once again driving drunk. 

According to the Racine County Sheriff's Office, on Monday, Dec. 19, an off-duty sheriff's sergeant observed a truck driving recklessly on West Street, just north of Durand Avenue, in Union Grove. 

Officials say the driver squealed the truck tires, drove through four stops signs at a high rate of speed, and nearly drove the sergeant off the road. 

The sheriff's office says the sergeant notified dispatch and followed the truck to the Cathedral Square Apartments, where the driver -- identified as 34-year-old Joshua Karasti -- fled into an apartment. 

Sheriff's deputies arrived and officials say they were allowed inside. Officials say Karasti's father tried to persuade Karasti to come out of a bedroom, but Karasti ultimately refused. He was taken into custody at Taser point. 

Authorities located a bottle of alcohol inside the truck. 

Officials say Karasti's prior record shows he was on parole for homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle as a repeater, hit-and-run involving death as a habitual offender, and operating while under the influence -- his third offense. 

Karasti also had an active warrant for his arrest through probation and parole. 

According to the sheriff's office, deputies transported Karasti to the hospital where he refused to conduct standardized sobriety tests and refused to consent to a blood draw. 

Authorities say while waiting for a warrant to be signed by a judge for a blood draw, Karasti shouted racist and homophobic slurs toward medical staff and deputies. At one point, officials say Karasti threatened a deputy he was going to take their firearm and use it against them. Karasti allegedly stated the deputies would have to "suit up" and "gear up" to get him to cooperate with a blood draw. 

Due to the lack of cooperation and threats, Karasti was placed in the WRAP restraint system. 

A blood sample was obtained and Karasti was transported to the Racine County Jail. He's being held on a $10,000 bail for the following: 

• Operating While Intoxicated 4th Offense
• Battery or Threat to Law Enforcement Officer
• Disorderly Conduct