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MENOMINEE -- A Stephenson man who was charged with drunken driving seven previous times has been sentenced to a prison term.
Thomas Carl Carr, 58, of Stephenson, was sentenced to 28 months to 7 1/2 years in prison for operating while intoxicated, third offense, and as a second habitual offender, according to Menominee County Prosecuting Attorney Jeffrey T. Rogg. The prison sentence was handed down on April 21 by the Judge Mary B. Barglind, in the 41st Circuit Court. Carr pled guilty on Jan. 27 to the charge.
The case began on Oct. 2, 2021, when Michigan State Police Trooper Ethan Metras responded to the scene of a motor vehicle crash in Lake Township. Carr was identified as the driver of a truck that hit a tree. Carr registered a .21 BAC at the Menominee County Jail. Carr has at least seven prior convictions for operating under the influence. Carr was most recently convicted by jury and sentenced to 3-5 years in prison in 2017. He was released from parole less than six months prior to the 2021 offense. Carr was arrested in February 2022 for drinking at a bar while out on bond in the 2021 case.
"Little kids playing on a sidewalk shouldn't have to worry about being hit and killed by drunk drivers such as Mr. Carr," said Rogg. "The innocent citizens of Menominee County are at risk because this man refuses to stop drinking and driving. Mr. Carr has been repeatedly warned about the dangers of drinking and driving, and he continues to ignore those warnings and get behind the wheel drunk. The only way to protect the public is to lock him up for as long as possible."
"I hope the Michigan Legislature will realize the ongoing danger posed by people such as Mr. Carr and increase the penalties for repeat drunk drivers, so that prosecutors and judges can better protect the public from this ongoing threat, without someone having to die," said Rogg.