A Cassopolis woman, facing her fourth drunken driving offense, was sent to jail Friday.
Jeri Rickey was sentenced in Cass County Circuit Court to 180 days in jail and two years probation. She will received credit for 15 days already served. She must also spend 120 days on alcohol tether after her release.
Rickey was driving intoxicated May 28 when her car ran into a road commission sign. She registered a 0.39 percent blood alcohol content level, nearly five times the legal limit.
Both Prosecutor Victor Fitz and Judge Michael Dodge said it was one of the highest levels they had ever seen in their careers.
“She wasn’t just driving drunk. She was driving almost embalmed,” Fitz said.
In the pre-sentence report, Rickey said she doesn’t have a drug or alcohol problem.
Dodge wasn’t buying it.
“There’s no way it would be possible for you to achieve a 0.39 without having a drinking problem,” Dodge said. “To achieve that you have to be an alcoholic.”
Defense attorney Lawrence Quigley asked for a local sentence so Rickey could get the drug and alcohol treatment that she wants and needs.
For her part, Rickey apologized and said she hasn’t had a drink since the incident.