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A Fort Worth man was sentenced by a Parker County judge to 35 years in prison for his eighth driving while intoxicated (DWI) charge in Weatherford on Friday.
Ernest Henry Pacheco, 50, pled guilty to a November 2009 DWI charge. He elected to have a District Judge, Don Chrestman, evaluate his sentence.
The incident began when a Benbrook man saw Pacheco's pickup driving irregularly as he headed westbound on Interstate 20 in Tarrant County. The witness called 911 and continued to follow Pacheco. The man described Pacheco’s poor driving all the way to Hudson Oaks, where Pacheco was finally stopped by a Hudson Oaks Police Officer. During the trial, the caller testified that Pacheco swerved across all three lanes, had speeds that varied from 35 to 85 mph and almost hit one vehicle. The Hudson Oaks officer testified that he also saw Pacheco nearly strike a vehicle before he pulled him over.
Upon being stopped, Pacheco failed field sobriety tests and was arrested for DWI. A blood test taken pursuant to a search warrant showed that Pacheco's blood alcohol concentration was 0.28, over three times the legal limit of 0.08.
During the trial, several of Pacheco's family members and friends testified that he is a kind man who helps his family and friends when they need him. They asked the judge for leniency.
While it seems Ernest Henry Pacheco is a kind man, no personality trait can brighten the shadow he has cast on himself. The defendant has five misdemeanor DWI’s, three felony DWI’s and three robbery convictions. When you add that record to dangerous, intoxicated driving patterns you could have a very dreary situation.
Drunk driving is a serious crime. Luckily this time Pacheco did not injure anyone. Statistically speaking, on average someone is killed by a drunk driver every 40 minutes. Pacheco will be eligible for parole in 2028 when he has served half of his sentence. Hopefully by that time Pacheco will have had enough time to think about the repercussions his actions could have.
Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/ Fort Worth Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Mark A. Anderson. The Anderson Law firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817.294.1900or in Dallas at 214.327.8000. If you have been in a drunk driving accident and have questions, please call or fill out contact form online for a free consultation.
Mark A. Anderson
Board Certified—Personal Injury Trial Law
1310 W. El Paso Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102
817-294-1900
817-294-3113 (fax)
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