Bail is set at $500,000 for a Centralia man with at least three DUI-related convictions within 10 years on his record who was arrested early Sunday morning for allegedly driving while intoxicated in Centralia.
Christian Carlos Rodriguez, 27, was booked into the Lewis County Jail at approximately 3:13 a.m. on Feb. 16 after a Lewis County Sheriff’s Office deputy clocked him allegedly driving 50 mph in a 35 mph zone on North Pearl Street, according to jail records and court documents.
The deputy conducted a traffic stop on Rodriguez’s vehicle in the 1100 block of North Gold Street and reportedly noted that Rodriguez showed signs of impairment, including slurred speech and watery and bloodshot eyes, according to court documents.
The deputy reportedly saw two open cans of Twisted Tea inside Rodriguez’s vehicle and “was able to smell the odor of intoxicants coming from (Rodriguez’s) person,” according to court documents.
When questioned by the deputy, Rodrigeuz allegedly admitted to drinking “a few beers” and said he last drank “a little bit a go,” according to court documents. He allegedly declined to conduct voluntary field sobriety tests and said he would not cooperate for a breath test.
A judge granted a warrant for a blood draw, which was conducted at approximately 3:24 a.m. on Feb. 17, according to court documents.
Toxicology results were not publicly available as of Tuesday afternoon.
Rodriguez’s criminal history includes a felony DUI conviction from October 2024, which he was still on probation for at the time of this offense.
Other convictions on his record include a 2020 DUI-related vehicular assault, two DUIs from 2019 and other various driving-related charges.
The prosecution asked for Rodriguez’s bail to be set at $500,000 on Tuesday “based on what the state considers a severe threat to the public,” Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher said Tuesday during Rodriguez’s preliminary hearing on felony DUI, violation of ignition interlock and first-degree driving with a suspended license charges in Lewis County Superior Court.
Given Rodriguez’s history and the current allegations, Judge Paul Strophy said Tuesday that the court had “significant community safety concerns” and that he did not have confidence Rodriguez would follow court orders without significant bail.
Based on his history and the current allegations, Strophy said, “he apparently has not made a change in behavior.”
While defense attorney Rachael Tiller asked that bail be set no higher than $25,000, agreeing to the stipulation that Rodriguez will not drive or drink until his case is resolved, Strophy granted the prosecution’s request for $500,000 bail.
Strophy also added provisions to Rodriguez’s conditions of release prohibiting him from operating any type of motor vehicle and requiring him to obtain a Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring (SCRAM) device within 48 hours of his release if he posts bail before his case is resolved. The device provides 24/7 transdermal alcohol monitoring.
Arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 27.
