Sen. Schoesler arrested for DUI

RITZVILLE - The local 9th Legislative District senator was released on his own recognizance Saturday night, Aug. 31, after being arrested for allegedly driving drunk and hitting two other vehicles.

Sen. Mark Schoesler, 67, of Ritzville, was arrested by citation for driving while under the influence of alcohol following the Saturday night performance of the Ritzville Rodeo. According to Police Chief Dave McCormick, he had a blood-alcohol level of 0.14 at the time of his arrest.

The citation will be referred to Adams County District Court, which will set a time and date for an initial hearing, and issue Schoesler a court summons.

As senator, Schoesler represents the 9th Legislative District, including Eastern Adams and Franklin Counties, as well as Southern Spokane, Asotin, Columbia, Garfield, Lincoln and Whitman counties. A fifth-generation dryland wheat farmer, Schoesler was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 1992, where he served 12 years before being elected to the state Senate.

Schoesler served as the Senate Republican leader for eight years.

Earlier Saturday, Sen. Schoesler was a participant in the Ritzville Community Parade, after which he attended the Wheat Land Communities Fair and Ritzville Rodeo.

The incident began at about 9:35 p.m., shortly after the end of the rodeo at the local fairgrounds, 811 E. Main Ave.

Schoesler allegedly was "walking unsteadily" as he crossed a bridge over a swale exiting the fairgrounds enroute to his vehicle in the parking lot, McCormick said, noting a witness called Adams County dispatch to report a possible drunken driver.

Like most fairs and rodeos, the parking area was a field cordoned off with flags and ropes to designate parking areas and lanes.

When Officer Matt Carlson arrived, the senator was sitting in his truck, ignition off, McCormick said.

An incident report filed by Carlson said several witnesses were initially present, but disappeared abruptly when he arrived.

However, "One witness said he saw Mr. Schoesler coming out of the fair grounds walking unsteadily," McCormick said. "This young man had suspected he had been drinking and didn't think he should drive."

The witness told Carlson that Schoesler had backed into at least two other vehicles, McCormick said.

"He started his vehicle and backed across the uneven grassy lot and into another vehicle parked behind him," McCormick said. "When Officer Carlson contacted him, he was very cooperative. He showed signs of intoxication."

Given the parking area is uneven and grassy, and the "many, many spectators" watching, Carlson decided to transport Schoesler to the police station to conduct a field sobriety test and blood-alcohol analysis.

He failed both, McCormick said.

Schoesler took the blood-alcohol Breathalyzer test four times, with two consistent readings of 0.14 registering on the device, the police chief said.

After being arrested by citation, Sen. Schoesler was released on his own recognizance to a family member who was contacted to take him home.

"The jail is closed," McCormick said of the decision to release the senator into the custody of a family member. "Mr. Schoesler is local and he's not going anywhere. He was 100% cooperative."

Since the senator was released to a family member to be transported home, he will receive an Adams County District Court summons to appear and answer the charge.

The arrest was the only major incident reported at the Wheat Land Communities Fair, the chief said.

Other than Schoesler's arrest, police responded to the rodeo contestant parking area Friday night for a complaint of two young "kids" riding a golf cart recklessly.

Police suggested the youth return to their family area and refrain from riding around in an area where trucks and trailers were present.