by Boone, Iowa — Adria Kester, 55, the chief judge of Iowa’s Second Judicial District, has been charged with operating while intoxicated (OWI) after motorists reported seeing her slumped over the wheel while driving the wrong way on U.S. Highway 30 near Boone.
Incident Details
The incident occurred shortly after 8 p.m. on Tuesday, when multiple drivers called 911 to report a pickup truck moving eastbound in the westbound lanes. Witnesses described Kester as appearing unconscious and slumped over the steering wheel.
According to the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, one bystander climbed into the truck through the back window to put the vehicle in park, preventing a potential accident. A deputy later found Kester heavily intoxicated and unsteady, requiring assistance to an ambulance.
Authorities noted a cup containing a liquid that smelled like alcohol inside the vehicle, and Kester exhibited bloodshot, watery eyes and slurred speech. Medical staff cleared her, but she was still unable to walk and declined field sobriety testing. A warrant was issued to obtain a blood sample, which has been sent to the state crime lab for analysis.
Kester was arrested for her first OWI offense and booked into the Boone County Jail around 4 a.m., before being released Wednesday morning.
Legal Proceedings
Kester entered a not-guilty plea through her attorney, Matt Lindholm, a prominent Iowa lawyer known for defending clients in drunk-driving cases. Lindholm stated that Judge Kester recognizes the seriousness of the situation and is cooperating with authorities.
Due to her role as chief judge, the case required reassignment. Iowa Chief Justice Susan Christensen directed the matter be moved to another district, with Judge Gregory Brandt appointed to preside.
Professional Background
Adria Kester has had a groundbreaking career in Iowa’s judiciary:
- Graduated from Iowa State University in 1994 and Drake University Law School in 1998
- Began as an assistant public defender, later spending six years in private practice
- Served as assistant county attorney in Boone and Hamilton counties
- Joined the bench in 2013 as the first woman district associate judge in Iowa’s Second Judicial District
- Appointed district court judge in 2017 by Governor Kim Reynolds, again as the first woman in that role
- Became chief judge in 2022, overseeing courts across 22 counties and hundreds of staff members
- Active in statewide and local bar associations and the Iowa Association of County Attorneys
Community and Safety Reactions
Boone County Sheriff Andy Godzicki said he was relieved no one was hurt during the incident and stressed that deputies were instructed to handle the case like any other OWI matter.
“This is a difficult situation for both the Kester family and our office,” Godzicki said, highlighting the delicate nature of a high-ranking judicial official facing criminal charges.
Should judges face the same legal consequences as other citizens when charged with OWI? Share your opinions on Adria Kester’s case and road safety in the comments below.
