MOUNT VERNON — Aaron Bridge showed no emotion as he stood in front of a judge Thursday and pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol.
When the 46-year-old was arrested for the DUI in September, it was his 14th time since 1992.
“That’s almost one a year,” said Superior Court Judge Susan Cook.
Cook sentenced Bridge to 20 months in prison, the maximum under his sentencing range.
“All we can do is incarcerate him for 20 months, and those are 20 months he won’t be on the road,” said Sloan Johnson, of the Skagit County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
This was Bridge’s first felony DUI. A state law, which went into effect in July 2007, makes a defendant’s fifth DUI offense within the past 10 years a felony.
Johnson said people like Bridge are exactly why legislators passed the law. But, he said, the law has some kinks that need to be worked out. One such kink would be allowing a judge to sentence Bridge to more prison time, he said.
“I’m sorry, Your Honor,” Bridge told the judge. “I just made a large mistake.”
Bridge also asked the judge whether the felony “will wipe off my record” after five years.
Cook answered that a felony does not leave a person’s record, and deferred to Bridge’s attorney to explain to his client the possibility of reinstating his voting and firearm rights.
Bridge’s attorney, Thomas Kamb, said he has known his client since the two met working in the Skagit County fields together as children.
“I know Mr. Bridge to be a good man,” Kamb said. “His problem is alcohol.”
Kamb said Bridge knows it’s a weakness and has fought with the addiction for 25 years.
“He’s glad he didn’t hurt anyone,” Kamb said.
The judge urged Bridge to “take advantage” of the treatment offered in prison.
“If you don’t take care of this, it will kill you,” she said.
Tahlia Ganser can be reached at 360-416-2148 or at .
