Marathon County Man Facing 5th OWI Charge Arrested for Operating While Intoxicated Again

Tuesday, August 5th, 2025 -- 1:01 PM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) A Marathon County man already facing his 5th OWI was arrested again in late July.

According to Mike Leischner with WSAU, officers responded to a report of a driver going slowly on Highway 97, occasionally stopping and driving into oncoming traffic.

When officers caught up to him, he was pulled over to the side of the road. The driver, identified as Joseph D. Wirkus, was found slumped over the steering wheel.

Officers said he had glassy eyes and the vehicle reeked of alcohol. He was arrested and taken for a blood draw before being booked into the Marathon County Jail.

He appeared in court on August 1st and is due to return for additional hearings on August 7th and 15th. Wirkus is also due for a telephone scheduling conference for his 5th OWI charge on Wednesday.

At this time, it’s unclear if the two cases will be cross-referenced. The 68-year-old is being held on a $7,000 cash bond. Court records indicate his previous OWI convictions date back to 2004.

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