May 18th Pine River Incident Leads To OWI Charge For Lincoln County Supervisor Vorpagel
On Saturday May 18 in the Town of Pine River an incident occurred resulting in Lincoln County Board District 9 Supervisor Christine Vorpagel being charged with OWI, first offense, and open intoxicants in a motor vehicle.
A call came into the Lincoln County Dispatch Center shortly after 3PM reporting an older woman was passed out in her vehicle just off Hwy 64 on Deer Run Ave, east of Merrill. The caller said it did appear that the driver was breathing, however there appeared to be alcohol on the seat next to the driver. They said that the woman’s foot was on the brake, the vehicle was still in drive and the doors were locked so they were leaving a truck parked in front of the woman’s vehicle.
The driver’s preliminary breathalizer test indicated a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .14, which is .06 over Wisconsin’s legal limit of .08. Vorpagel was then arrested for first offense operating while intoxicated (OWI) and transported to Aspirus Merrill Hospital at approximately 3:40 p.m. to draw her blood to determine BAC at that time. Vorpagel was released to her husband shortly thereafter.
During the recent April 2 election, Vorpagel was elected to her position as Lincoln County District 9 Supervisor, defeating incumbent Don Friske by 45 votes, winning with 55.87% of the vote.
Vorpagel is presumed innocent of all charges until proven guilty and/or a judgment of conviction is entered.