Man with eight prior convictions charged with DUI in Lewis County; bail set at $100,000

A Port Orchard man was charged Tuesday in Lewis County Superior Court with one count of felony DUI and one count of violation of an ignition interlock, a gross misdemeanor offense.

Thomas D. Sorensen, 61, faces up to 10 years in prison and $20,000 in fines for the felony charge.

According to court documents, Sorensen’s criminal history includes eight prior DUI convictions, including one felony conviction, a reckless driving conviction and a physical control conviction.

Upon setting bail at $100,000 cash or bond, Judge J. Andrew Toynbee referred to Sorensen as a “ticking time bomb” given his history of DUI convictions.

Toynbee ordered that the defendant not drive a vehicle and have a Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor (SCRAM) device in place prior to any release. SCRAM devices are wearable units used to detect alcohol consumption through a person’s perspiration.

According to court documents, Sorensen was arrested Aug. 31 after a witness reported seeing a “driver parked on the side of the road who had thrown a beer can out of his window.”

When contacted by a Washington State Patrol trooper, Sorensen reportedly did not have his required ignition interlock device installed in his vehicle.

“The trooper also smelled intoxicants on the defendant's breath,” according to court documents.

When questioned, Sorensen allegedly admitted to drinking. Beer cans like the one found on the side of the road were later found inside Sorensen’s vehicle.

Court documents did not indicate whether his blood alcohol content was tested.

An arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 4. Don Blair has been assigned to represent Sorensen.