Hunter
06/13/21
A Solon woman was arrested Friday evening after allegedly found stumbling around her vehicle at the Mehaffey Bridge boat ramp in North Liberty.
A law enforcement officer reportedly saw 61-year-old Laurie Knepp behind the wheel and walking around at the site just before 8:15pm. The officer reported that Knepp showed signs of impairment, including uncoordinated balance. Reserve deputies and state conservation officers arrived shortly after and allegedly observed the same signs of impairment.
Knepp reportedly had a strong odor of ingested alcohol, extremely uncoordinated balance, and allegedly admitted to drinking and driving. When a tow truck was called, the driver was looking for the key to the vehicle inside and came across a half-drunken bottle of vodka under a sweatshirt on the passenger seat.
Knepp refused any field or chemical testing, and was charged with OWI first offense. She could face up to a year in jail if convicted.