Wisconsin Dells man appears in court on 12th OWI accusation

RICHLAND CENTER (WKOW) — A Wisconsin Dells man Friday appeared in court, accused of his twelfth drunken driving offense, 13 years after his last arrest for operating while intoxicated.

Taylor White Eagle, 56, waived his right to have a preliminary hearing into the accusation in Richland County court within ten days, and remains jailed with bail set at $25,000. Assistant state public defender Lisa McDougal says White Eagle also faces possible revocation of a probation term connected to another offense.

Authorities say a diner at a Subway restaurant in Richland Center June 20 watched White Eagle try to maneuver a Jeep Liberty into the parking lot.

“He went up on the curb and rolled backwards,” the caller to an emergency line said. “The guy who was driving is stumbling. His vehicle is smoking. I’m guessing (driver) is on something.”

A criminal complaint states White Eagle has “11 prior Operating While Intoxicated Convictions,” but was legally allowed to drive with some alcohol in his system, “a .02 restriction.” For adults without OWIs, the legal limit is .08. The complaint says a preliminary breath test showed White Eagle’s blood alcohol level at .15.

Richland County court records state White Eagle’s last OWI arrest was on May 24, 2006. McDougal declined comment on whether treatment, time off the streets, incarceration or other factors contributed to White Eagle’s long period between arrests.

If White Eagle is convicted of Operating While Intoxicated – 10th And Subsequent Offense, he faces a mandatory minimum of four years in prison.

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