Altoona Man Arrested After OWI Investigation on Broadway Street

Our newsroom runs on more than coffee and craft beer — it runs on you. Support Decorah News' local reporting today. DECORAH — On June 26, 2026, at approximately 12:46 a.m., Officer Elledge of the Decorah Police Department observed a vehicle traveling east on Broadway Street without illuminated taillights and initiated a traffic stop on Montgomery Street. The driver, identified as Braxton Singz Bounsavath, of Altoona, was the sole occupant of the vehicle. According to the official criminal complaint obtained by DecorahNews.com, officers observed the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Bounsavath's breath, along with other signs of impairment. He admitted to drinking four beers at a bar and agreed to standardized field sobriety tests. Officers reported multiple indicators of impairment during testing, and a preliminary breath test indicated a blood alcohol content above the legal limit. The complaint goes on to allege that Bounsavath was taken into custody, where a search reportedly resulted in the discovery of two vape products on his person, which he claimed were "mushroom" vapes. The substances later field tested positive for THC. At the Winneshiek County Jail, a breath test showed a BAC of 0.111. Bounsavath later requested an independent test at WinnMed. He was charged with operating while intoxicated, first offense, and possession of a controlled substance (marijuana), first offense. He was transported to the Winneshiek County Jail and is being held pending his initial appearance. Arrested parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty. If found guilty, possible penalties in Iowa include: Serious misdemeanor: Fine of $430 to $2,560 and up to one year in jail. Your inbox, upgraded! Subscribe for free and enjoy handpicked stories, helpful advice, and local insights delivered weekly.