Bail is set at $75,000 for a man who was found passed out drunk in a vehicle along U.S. Highway 12 in the Morton area Tuesday night.
Daniel Glenn Price, 38, of Centralia, was reportedly found passed out in the driver’s seat of a running vehicle on the shoulder of U.S. Highway 12, facing eastbound, near Temple Road at about 10:50 p.m. on Dec. 30. An open bottle of whiskey was reportedly seen in the passenger’s seat.
Price reportedly displayed multiple signs of being drunk, including having bloodshot, watery eyes and being unable to balance.
He allegedly admitted to drinking whiskey, “said he was sorry and that he had too much to drink,” according to court documents.
Price was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail at approximately 12:05 a.m. on Dec. 31. He has since been charged in Lewis County Superior Court with one count each of felony DUI, being in physical control of a vehicle while under the influence, violation of ignition interlock and third-degree driving with a suspended license.
While Price’s defense attorney related that Price has promised not to drive while his case is pending, Lewis County Superior Court Judge Paul Strophy said that was not enough to mitigate his community safety concerns, and granted the prosecution’s request for $75,000 bail.
Remarking that “it’s only pure luck” that Price’s DUI history hasn’t resulted in a vehicular assault or homicide, Strophy also added a provision to Price’s conditions of release prohibiting him from driving until his case is resolved.
“You are not to drive, period,” Strophy told Price.
Arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 8.
