Iowa Judge Arrested for OWI After Driving Wrong Way on Highway, Deputies Say
BOONE, IOWA — A high-ranking Iowa judge is facing operating while intoxicated (OWI) charges after witnesses reported seeing her driving the wrong way on a major highway and slumped over the wheel, according to law enforcement officials.
Adria Kester, 55, who serves as the chief judge of Iowa’s Second Judicial District, was arrested late Tuesday night after deputies found her unconscious and intoxicated in her truck near U.S. Highway 30 in Boone County.
Witnesses Reported Wrong-Way Driver on Highway 30
According to the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, several motorists called 911 around 8 p.m. Tuesday to report a truck traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of U.S. Highway 30.
One witness told authorities the driver appeared to be unresponsive and had driven into the median. The witness climbed through the back window of the 2026 GMC Canyon Denali to shift the vehicle into park and turn off the engine.
When deputies arrived, they found Judge Kester behind the wheel, appearing disoriented, slurring her speech, and unable to stand. She was assisted into an ambulance for evaluation before being taken to Boone County Jail early Wednesday morning.
Arrest, Testing, and Court Proceedings
Court documents state Kester refused to participate in field sobriety tests, leading officers to obtain a warrant for a blood sample at Boone County Hospital. The specimen has been sent to the state crime lab for analysis.
She was formally arrested for first-offense operating while intoxicated and booked around 4 a.m. Wednesday, before being released without bond after her initial court appearance.
Boone County Sheriff Andy Godzicki said the situation was “a tough one” for both his deputies and the judiciary but added that his office “treated the judge the same as any other suspect.”
Judge’s Response and Legal Implications
Kester’s attorney, Matt Lindholm, one of Iowa’s top OWI defense lawyers, entered a not guilty plea on her behalf Wednesday afternoon.
“Judge Kester recognizes the seriousness of the situation and is fully cooperating with law enforcement and the judicial process,” Lindholm said. “She is committed to addressing this matter responsibly and in accordance with the law.”
The Iowa Judicial Branch confirmed awareness of the arrest but declined to comment, citing it as an ongoing personnel matter. Officials said the Judicial Qualifications Commission could review the case and recommend discipline or removal if warranted.
Case Reassigned Due to Conflicts
Because of Kester’s position, multiple judges and prosecutors have recused themselves from the case. A district associate judge stepped aside due to a “professional relationship,” and the Iowa Chief Justice Susan Christensen ordered that a judge from another district handle the proceedings.
The Boone County Attorney’s Office also withdrew from the case, assigning prosecution duties to Polk County officials.
Kester has been ordered to complete a substance abuse evaluation within 30 days and follow any recommended treatment.
Appointed as chief judge in December 2022, Kester oversees 22 counties across northern and central Iowa, supervising hundreds of judges and court employees. She was first appointed to the bench by Governor Kim Reynolds in 2017 after years as both a prosecutor and criminal defense lawyer.
As the investigation continues, her case underscores the growing scrutiny around judicial accountability and the ethical expectations placed on the state’s top legal officials. For ongoing updates on Midwest legal and community news, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.