Felony DUI suspect allowed to drive

EPHRATA - A Quincy man, who was charged with felony DUI, is allowed to drive after being released from Grant County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

During a hearing this week, Grant County Superior Court Judge Evan Sperline granted a motion that allows Eustaquio C. Angel, 47, to drive to and from work while he is awaiting trial.

Grant County Deputy Prosecutor Patrick Schaff objected to the motion because Angel was convicted of vehicular homicide in 1998.

In November 1997 while driving drunk, Angel struck a car that was carrying two Pierce County teachers on their way to Washington State University to visit their daughter.

Schaff explained that the defendant stated he was on his way home from work at the time of the accident.

According to Grant County Prosecutor Angus Lee, the court did not order any alcohol monitoring device to be placed in Angel's vehicle.

Angel was stopped by a State Patrol trooper April 10 after he was reportedly speeding on state Route 281 and Road 5 Northwest.

Angel reportedly failed a field sobriety test and had a blood alcohol content of .124. A six-pack of beer was allegedly found in a cooler inside the vehicle with one can partly empty.

Along with the vehicular homicide conviction, Angel has two prior DWI convictions and a reckless driving conviction.

Angel's trial is scheduled for July.