CORVALLIS, Ore. — A Benton County man has been sentenced to prison following his fourth conviction for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) within the past decade, underscoring ongoing concerns about repeat impaired driving offenses in the region.
Micky Michael was sentenced to 19 months in prison by Benton County Circuit Court Judge Keri Smith, a term shorter than the 24 months sought by Deputy District Attorney John Vehrs. In addition to the prison sentence, Michael was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine, had his Oregon driver’s license permanently revoked, and will serve two years of post-prison supervision upon release.
The conviction stems from a traffic stop conducted on the morning of October 16, 2024. At approximately 7:00 a.m., Corvallis Police Officer Ryan Larson stopped Michael after he was reported driving erratically along a roadway in Corvallis.
According to authorities, Benton County Sheriff’s Office Parole and Probation Sergeant Abe Griswold observed Michael weaving repeatedly within his lane and nearly striking a guardrail. Griswold reported that Michael crossed over his lane of travel approximately 20 times and, at one point, veered into oncoming traffic before swerving back to avoid a collision. Concerned that a crash was imminent, Griswold alerted law enforcement.
Upon contact, Officer Larson determined Michael showed signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests. A subsequent blood draw revealed a blood alcohol content of 0.038%, below the legal limit of 0.08%. However, toxicology results also showed the presence of THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, indicating impairment by intoxicants.
Benton County District Attorney Ryan Joslin emphasized the potential danger posed by impaired drivers.
“When a person takes to the streets under the influence, they are surrounded by countless potential victims,” Joslin said. “Do not use intoxicants and drive. It is not worth the risk.”
Officials noted that the case highlights the risks associated with driving under the influence of substances beyond alcohol, as well as the heightened penalties for repeat offenders.
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