A 43-year old Chippewa Falls man is charged with his 10^th drunk driving offense after a traffic stop Aug. 22 near Rhinelander.

According to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Department, a deputy saw Edward Luedke driving erratically on Hwy 17 north of Hat Rapids Road. When the deputy approached the vehicle he saw two open cans of beer between the driver and the passenger. Luedke stated he had only one beer, but reportedly later admitted to having “a lot” more.

The criminal complaint states that Luedke had slurred speech, slowed movement, bloodshot eyes and a preliminary breath test of 0.14. Due to previous alcohol convictions, Luedke cannot have a blood alcohol content of over 0.02.

A passenger in the vehicle, 50 year old John Walker also of Chippewa Falls was arrested for open intoxicants, possession of drug paraphernalia and bail jumping.  According to the criminal complaint, he had a BAC of 0.29

Luedke remains in the Oneida County jail on a $10,000 cash bond. His first conviction was in 1989 in Eau Claire County. His most recent prior arrest was in 2009 in Chippewa County. In that case he was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison, but received credit for 454 days served.

Luedke was also issued a traffic citation for operating while suspended, open intoxicants, not having proper registration and not having proof of insurance.

If convicted he faces a maximum sentence of 12.5 years in prison.