Man sentenced to prison for OWI-10

A Wheeler man accused of driving while under the influence of alcohol for the 10th time after police say they found him passed out behind the wheel of a car parked on a highway was sentenced to prison Tuesday in Barron County Circuit Court.

Levi D. Lauritsen, 44, was charged on Dec. 4 with felony 10th-offense OWI and a misdemeanor for operating while his driver’s license was revoked.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the count of OWI-10, while the other charge was dismissed but read into the record.

Lauritsen, who is currently incarcerated at Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun, was sentenced to seven years in prison followed by five years on extended supervision. His driver’s license was revoked and he must use a IID, each for 36 months. He may not possess or consume alcoholic beverages as part of the terms of his supervision.