Hayward Man Arrested for 5th OWI After Erratic Driving Report in Washburn County

WASHBURN COUNTY — Raymond John Larson, 65 years of age, from Hayward, Wisconsin has been arrested by the Wisconsin State Patrol Spooner Post for operating a motor vehicle under the influence, 5th offense.

The Washburn County Sheriffs Office received a 911 call stating a vehicle had left the roadway striking multiple signs on US Highway 63 near the US Highway 63 and US Highway 53 interchange in the Town of Spooner.

Additional information was provided by the caller that the vehicle was all over the road, continuously driving onto the shoulder of the roadway and across both lanes of north bound Highway 53.

The caller followed the vehicle north bound on US Highway 53, giving direction of travel. The caller reported the vehicle exited US Highway 53 onto US Highway 63 in the Town of Trego and stopped at The Prime Bar.

Wisconsin State Patrol Troopers and Washburn County Deputies responded to The Prime Bar to locate the vehicle. A State Trooper and Washburn County Deputy arrived on scene and made contact with the driver who was exiting the vehicle.

The Trooper observed multiple indicators of impairment exhibited by the driver. The driver, identified as Raymond John Larson of Hayward, Wisconsin refused all testing during the investigation.

Mr. Larson was arrested for suspicion of operating while under the influence of intoxicants 5th offense. Mr. Larson currently has a pending case for 5th offense operating while intoxicated in Sawyer County, Wisconsin.

Mr. Larson was transported to Spooner Hospital for a legal blood draw and was subsequently booked into the Washburn County Jail on the following charges: Operating while under the influence of intoxicant 5th offense, felony bail jumping, possession of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and possession of drug paraphernalia.

"Pursuant to the direction of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicly, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty."