Man accused of driving under influence with child in vehicle

A 37-year-old man is accused of third-offense driving under the influence with a child in the car after he crashed into a parked vehicle and a tree near the intersection of Marshall and Cornell streets last May in Rice Lake.

Lucas M. Usselman, of Rice Lake, was charged on Monday with felony operating a motor vehicle while under the influence - third offense, with a minor child in the vehicle.

If convicted, Usselman faces a maximum penalty of a $4,000 fine and two years in prison. His license could be revoked for up to six years because the incident involved a passenger younger than 16. His initial appearance is slated for May 1.

According to the criminal complaint, on May 23 Usselman told an officer he dropped off his kid’s friend at her house and while traveling back to his residence he was texting and driving and struck a parked vehicle and a tree.

The officer said the defendant crossed the center line and crashed into a vehicle and tree that was parked in the opposing lane. The defendant denied drinking and taking drugs but said he did take Bupropion. The officer said the defendant had a hard time keeping his balance while they talked.

There was an indent in the vehicle’s windshield, and Usselman complained of head pain. When the defendant’s girlfriend arrived, she said he had a methadone clinic appointment early in the morning. A driver had driven Usselman from and to the clinic. Once he got back from the appointment he picked up a 15-year-old from the house and drove her home.

The girlfriend said she had concerns about Usselman driving a vehicle and offered to drop the child off but the defendant insisted on driving.

Usselman said he was under doctor’s care as he has visits at the Methadone Clinic. When asked if he had taken any prescription medication, the defendant stated, “yes.”

The child said the defendant drove on the wrong side of the road during the entire drive. When asked about that statement, Usselman stated he did that for “fun.”

The Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene reported that his blood contained methadone, alprazolam, nordiazepam and gabapentin in varying amounts.

Usselman has two prior convictions, one on March 2, 2009, in Washburn County, and the other on May 5, 2021, in Eau Claire County, according to the state Department of Transportation.