Schoesler arrested, cited for DUI

RITZVILLE — Washington State Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, was cited for DUI after he attempted to leave the Wheat Land Fairgrounds Saturday evening. 

Ritzville Police Chief David McCormick said the incident occurred about 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Schoesler attempted to drive out of the fairgrounds parking lot but backed into a car behind him, which drew the attention of some bystanders, McCormick said. The witnesses contacted law enforcement 

Schoesler was witnessed bumping into the car behind his vehicle a second time, McCormick said, and bystanders intervened to keep him from driving out of the parking lot, a grass field. 

“I think he had every intention of getting in his vehicle and driving home,” McCormick said. 

Once the bystanders intervened Schoesler stopped trying to leave. 

“He just shut the truck off,” McCormick said. 

Ritzville police officers responded and determined Schoesler was showing signs of intoxication, the chief said. He was transported to the Adams County Jail to take a sobriety test. 

“(The parking lot) just wasn’t a good place for a field sobriety test,” McCormick said. 

The results of the test caused RPD officers to place Schoesler under arrest McCormick said. He also took a breathalyzer test, which resulted in readings of .14, .139 and .15, McCormick said. The legal limit in Wahington is .08. 

The Adams County Jail is closed, and Schoesler does not have multiple DUI offenses, so he was cited and released to a family member, McCormick said. He will be arraigned in Adams County District Court, but a date has not been set.  

The Columbia Basin Herald reached out to Schoessler’s office for comment, but no response was received in time for press time.