LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — Don Weber, 77, the founder of Logistics Health Incorporated and a well-known La Crosse philanthropist, was arrested Wednesday night after crashing his vehicle while allegedly driving under the influence. Police say Weber’s vehicle struck two parked cars and overturned in the 1000 block of Vine Street.
Weber was taken into custody for Operating While Intoxicated (second offense), operating while armed with a firearm while intoxicated, and carrying a concealed weapon without a permit. Officers found a handgun and two loaded magazines inside his overturned vehicle. Jail records confirm Weber posted a $1,500 bail and has been released.
A preliminary breath test revealed Weber had a BAC of 0.158, nearly twice Wisconsin’s legal limit of 0.08. According to police, Weber admitted to drinking five shots of brandy at The Charmant Hotel after visiting a bar on French Island earlier in the evening.
“Donald stated he made a mistake and should have called an Uber rather than driving home,” officers wrote in the report.
Weber sustained a cut to his eyebrow and was bleeding when officers arrived. Emergency responders recovered the firearm and ammunition, which Weber possessed without a valid concealed carry permit.
Police also cited him for lane deviation and failure to control a vehicle. Speed was determined to be a factor in the crash.
This is Weber’s second OWI arrest, with a prior conviction in 2016.
Weber, a Vietnam War veteran and former Marine rifleman, built LHI into a major contractor for the U.S. Department of Defense and has long been a prominent figure in local business and charitable circles.
As of now, formal charges have not been filed, and the case remains under review.
