Clear Lake woman charged with fifth drunken driving offense

CHIPPEWA FALLS — A Clear Lake woman has been charged with her fifth drunken driving offense after she was arrested for driving in the wrong direction on Highway 29 in the town of Wheaton on Sept. 26.

Lea J. Anderson, 38, was charged in Chippewa County Court with OWI-5 and operating while revoked. Judge Benjamin Lane ordered she be held on a $500 cash bond, and Lane set a return court date for Nov. 12. The district attorney’s office requested a $2,000 cash bond.

According to the criminal complaint, law enforcement responded to a report of an SUV driving eastbound on Highway 29 in the westbound lanes of traffic at mile marker 66. Anderson drove at least 12 miles in the wrong direction, as she was apprehended at mile marker 78, west of Chippewa Falls.

The officer observed that Anderson appeared confused and “she did not understand when (the deputy) informed her she was traveling the wrong way.” She admitted she had been working at a tavern in Bloomer and had consumed multiple alcoholic drinks.

Anderson failed a field sobriety test and was arrested. A preliminary breath test showed a .165 blood-alcohol level, which is twice the legal limit. While the officer was interviewing her, Anderson fell asleep multiple times.

If Anderson posts bond, she will be required to take daily preliminary breath tests, and she cannot consume alcohol.

Online court records show Anderson was convicted of her fourth drunken driving offense in Polk County Court in 2021. Her driving privileges were revoked for 27 months after that conviction, and her driving privileges had not been restored.