Boone, IA – A judge from Iowa’s Second Judicial District was arrested for operating while intoxicated after driving the wrong way on U.S. Highway 30. Adria Kester, the chief judge of the district, was found passed out behind the wheel after crashing into a median.
Witnesses reported seeing Kester’s vehicle, a 2026 GMC Canyon Denali, traveling east in the westbound lanes around 8 p.m. on Nov. 4. Concerned motorists called 911 as Kester’s truck moved slowly and ultimately collided with the median, where she was seen slumped over the wheel.
Deputies from the Boone County Sheriff’s Office responded, locating Kester unconscious in the driver’s seat. Upon their arrival, they discovered a cup containing a liquid that smelled like alcohol beside her, along with evident signs of intoxication, such as bloodshot eyes and slurred speech.
Due to her condition, law enforcement determined it was unsafe to administer field sobriety tests. Kester was taken to the hospital for treatment, where authorities collected blood samples for analysis, and results remain pending.
Kester’s attorney stated that she understands the severity of the situation and is cooperating with the legal process. He added that she is committed to tackling the matter responsibly.
Kester has held her position as a judge since 2017, following a career as a prosecutor, public defender, and private defense attorney.