‘Poster child for felony DUI’ busted for fifth DUI
May 1, 2013, 5:02 PM | Updated: 5:20 pm
A Pierce County man prosecutors call “the poster child for the felony DUI law” faces felony charges after getting arrested for his fifth DUI.
Prosecutors charged James R. Door, 48, with Felony Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Driving with a Suspended License and Driving Without Required Ignition after he was arrested just before 2:00 a.m. Tuesday in Puyallup.
Under state law, a DUI becomes a felony on a fifth conviction. A proposal now being considered in the state Legislature would make the fourth conviction a felony.
“This defendant is a poster child for the felony DUI law,” Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist said in statement Wednesday. “A person who continues to put the public at risk by driving drunk after four previous DUI convictions needs to be held accountable at a felony level.”
Police observed Door rolling well past the stop line at two traffic lights and turn without signaling. Officers could “smell the overwhelming odor of intoxicants coming from inside the car” and on his breath. His eyes were watery, bloodshot and glassy.
When asked if he’d been drinking, Door replied “probably too much,” according to a police report. He had trouble getting out of his car and failed a field sobriety test, stating “I’m probably drunk.”
Door refused a breath test and results of a blood draw are pending to determine his blood alcohol level.
In addition to his four prior DUI convictions, Door has also been convicted of 10 other felonies, including motor vehicle theft. He was also wanted on an outstanding bench warrant for failing to appear at a scheduled court date stemming from a prior conviction.
Door pleaded not guilty in Pierce County Superior Court. His bail was set at $150,000.
