A state lawmaker has been found guilty of his fourth OWI. State Representative Jeff Wood (I-Chippewa Falls) pled no contest in Marathon County Wednesday to driving impaired near Wausau in September 2009.
Marathon County Judge Jill Falstad sentenced Wood to 60 days in jail, but he will have work release privileges. Wood was also placed on probation for two years.
Wood apologized for putting other drivers at risk. He says he didn’t realize that the ingredients of a cough syrup would make him so sleepy. Judge Falstad says it’s clear Wood understands he put others at risk and that he doesn’t want to hurt himself or others.
Wood is not running for re-election this year. The Assembly voted earlier this year to censure him after he was arrested three times in just over a year for driving under the influence.