A 69-year-old man in a Santa suit was apparently acting a little too jolly on Saturday, when authorities say he struck a Dane County Sheriff's deputy who was directing traffic.

The motorist dressed as Santa Claus was subsequently arrested for his 4th operating while intoxicated offense.

Authorities say the crash happened about 7:30 p.m. Saturday. A sheriff's deputy was sitting in an unmarked sheriff's sport utility vehicle while directing traffic on County Highway K in the town of Westport when he was rear-ended. The deputy suffered minor injuries.

Officials say the red-suited driver was returning from a holiday party at the American Legion in Westport.