A Dallas man has received a 55-year prison sentence for his eighth drunken-driving conviction.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that a jury sentenced 54-year-old Michael Smith to the prison term Friday after convicting him a day earlier.
The jury took only about 30 minutes to find him guilty.
Arlington police stopped Smith about 4:45 p.m. Jan. 7 after a 911 call about an erratic driver. Officials say a beer can fell out of his van while officers were questioning Smith, and an open beer was found behind his seat.
A test revealed that his blood-alcohol level was 0.24 percent -- three times the legal limit.
Authorities say Smith has 12 prior convictions, including seven for DWI from Dallas County.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
