MASON CITY – A suspected drunk driver was stopped at her home and caught with the highly-illegal drug methamphetamine.
A Cerro Gordo county deputy conducted a traffic stop at 1:45 AM on Friday, November 10 at a house in the 500 block of South Massachusetts Avenue. The driver, 59-year-old Patricia Lee Lauritsen, allegedly committed a traffic violation. After an investigation, Lauritsen was arrested for open container of alcohol and possession of meth. An investigation is underway as to whether Lauritsen was intoxicated; a drunk driving charge could be filed in the case, pending lab results, the sheriff’s office said.
Lauritsen was taken to jail and her for most of the day until she was released, pending a court date.
In 2002, Lauritsen was charged with several felony drug crimes in Worth county. She took a plea deal to lesser offenses and was given suspended prison sentences, probation, and had to pay $2,392.04 in court costs and other fees.
