Repeat DUI offender sent to jail

1/12/2018
BLADE STAFF
Villanueva
Villanueva

ADRIAN – A repeat drunk-driver who spent eight years in prison for a fatal 2001 crash was ordered Wednesday to spend 60 days in jail.

Lenawee County Circuit Court Judge Margaret Noe also placed Christopher Villanueva, 36, of Adrian on probation for five years, revoked his driver's license, and imposed $1,008 in fines and costs. She warned him that he would go to prison if he violated the terms of his probation.

Villanueva pleaded guilty June 7 to operating while intoxicated third offense, a felony, for a Feb. 25 drunken-driving crash on Sand Creek Highway that injured his three passengers. Rather than sentence him immediately, Judge Noe sent him to a residential treatment program, banned him from driving, and ordered twice-daily alcohol testing.

Defense attorney James Daly said Villanueva successfully completed the rehab program and has been sober since the Feb. 25 incident.

In 2001, Villanueva pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle with a suspended license causing death for striking and killing 16-year-old Victor Walworth of Clayton on July 5, 2001.