Governor Jim Doyle says state Representative Jeff Wood’s second arrest for driving while intoxicated in less than a year is a troubling situation. “There’s a personal side of it for Representative Wood that he really has to deal with, but we also have to recognize that, as alleged, this kind of driving puts the public at very grave risk,” Doyle said during a meeting with reporters in his Capitol office on Friday. “I think he has very big decision to make, and if he doesn’t the people in his district have a big decision to make. ”
AUDIO: Governor Jim Doyle (:17 MP3)
Wood was arrested Wednesday in Marathon County and charged with operating while intoxicated. He reportedly said he had taking several anti-anxiety pills and cough medicine. He was arrested in Columbia County in December and charged with third-offense drunk driving and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The Marathon County 911 Center released nearly nine minutes worth of audio, during which a motorist described Wood’s erratic driving before he was pulled over by a State Patrol trooper.
AUDIO: Marathon Co. 911 call (8:45 MP3)
Also on Friday, state Representative Steve Nass circulated a letter in which he requests that Wood resign, or face expulsion proceedings in the Assembly.
Jason Fischer contributed to this report
