Man sentenced for fifth DUI

EPHRATA - A man is serving nearly two years in prison for his fifth driving under the influence conviction.

Martin M. Sanabria, 52, pleaded guilty to felony driving under the influence and driving while license suspended in the first degree in Grant County Superior Court, according to court records.

Sanabria had four prior convictions for driving under the influence, according to court records. When combined with his present crimes, he faced a sentencing range of a year and 10 months to two years and five months in prison.

Grant County Superior Court Judge John Knodell followed the prosecutor's recommendation, sentencing Sanabria to a year and 11 months in prison, according to court records.

"The defendant in this case has quickly entered a plea to this serious felony and accepted a sentence inside the standard range," Prosecutor Angus Lee stated. "Early acceptance of guilt benefits the people by increasing the effectiveness of the discipline and reducing the cost of prosecuting the case."

A Washington State Patrol trooper spotted Sanabria driving west on state Route 262 near the Potholes Reservoir, according to a Washington State Patrol report. Sanabria was driving at 23 mph in a 55 mph zone. As the officer followed the man, his speed varied between 23 mph and 45 mph.

The officer stopped Sanabria as they approached Road E Southeast, according to the police report. When the officer approached the vehicle, he saw several open beer cans and bottles inside. The driver failed field sobriety tests and had a blood alcohol content of 0.193.