Rhode Island Resident Charged for 4 DUIs in 30 Hours
The DUI spree began on Sunday evening. John Lourenco, 53, crashed his Dodge pickup into an SUV, which caused minor injuries to the two children buckled up in the back seat. Instead of being taken to jail, however, Lourenco was taken to a local hospital for a urine sample to confirm his blood alcohol level. He was restrained for attempting to throw the urine sample on nursing staff, but then was released to his parents’ custody.
Around 7 AM on Monday morning, after presumably consuming more alcohol, Lourenco crashed a Chevrolet Malibu sedan into another vehicle. At the time of the crash, his blood alcohol level was .22 – almost three times the legal limit of 0.08. He was released to the custody of his parents again, with a second DUI charge and a court summons.
However, police noticed Lourenco driving erratically, this time in a Plymouth Barracuda, around 11:15 AM. He was arrested, charged with a third DUI, taken to a hospital for a blood test, and finally, rather than being turned over to his elderly parents’ custody, he was released to the custody of the hospital staff and held for court on his three DUI charges in less than 20 hours.
Amazingly, Lourenco managed to leave the hospital and headed out of the Providence area to Cumberland County, where he started driving his dump truck – yes, he owns a dump truck – which he crashed into a tree around 5 PM. He was returned to the hospital, submitted to yet another blood test, and held for court charges of on now 4 DUIs, across two counties.
Lourenco also faces charges for reckless driving, refusing a Breathalyzer, and no evidence of insurance. He was released on Tuesday, September 23rd, on a $25,000 bond, and has a court date set for Wednesday, September 24th.
Penalties for Fourth DUI or Subsequent Offense:
Contact us for help reducing or fighting the following DUI penalties. Legal consequences are listed by ascending blood alcohol levels.
If your BAC is between .08% and .09%:
- For a fourth DUI arrest, you will be charged with a felony drunk driving, with imprisonment for at least a year, up to five years.
- You will permanently lose your license.
If your BAC is between .10% and .15%:
- For a fourth DUI arrest, you will be charged with a felony drunk driving, with imprisonment for at least two years, up to six years.
- Fines range from $5,100 to $10,100.
- You will permanently lose your license.
If your BAC is .16 or higher:
- For a fourth DUI arrest, you will be charged with a felony drunk driving, with imprisonment for at least three years, up to seven years, and
- You are required to enroll and successfully complete ADSAP. You will permanently lose your license.
The Strom Law Firm Can Help with DUI Charges in South Carolina
If you face DUI charges, whether it is your first charge, or felony DUI, you could feel alone and afraid. Just because you drink and drive, especially if you are not the designated driver, does not automatically mean that you are guilty of DUI. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm have helped people who face DUI charges since 1996. We offer free, confidential consultations so you can discuss the facts of your case with impunity. Contact us for help today. 803.252.4800