FORT WORTH -- A 50-year-old Bedford man has been sentenced to 80 years in prison after his ninth conviction for drunken driving.
Miguel Medrano admitted that before he was arrested, he had been drinking at a Hooters restaurant while watching the 2010 Super Bowl, according to a news release from the Tarrant County district attorney's office.His blood alcohol level was 0.24, which is three times the legal limit, prosecutors said.Jurors convicted Medrano on Thursday of a felony charge of driving while intoxicated and sentenced him Friday.He already had six DWI convictions in Tarrant County, one in Collin County and one in Tom Green County.Because of that record, Medrano could have been sentenced to life in prison. He will have to serve at least 15 years before he is eligible for parole, prosecutors said.Testimony showed that on Feb. 7, 2010, Medrano got into a disagreement with a maintenance man outside the Bedford office building where they worked.When police arrived, they saw Medrano drive his 2004 Dodge Viper onto a curb in the parking lot, which was also recorded by the onboard camera of a patrol car, according to the news release.Medrano failed field sobriety tests. A blood test was obtained after officers learned Medrano had previous DWI convictions. The tests showed a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.24, prosecutors said.Medrano testified during the punishment phase of the trial and admitted drinking at Hooters while watching the Super Bowl.Bill Miller, 817-390-7367Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
