Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

CASSOPOLIS — A Cassopolis man will have the chance to keep a felony off his record.

Andrew Victor Parsons, 42, of O’Keefe Street in Cassopolis, pleaded guilty to third offense drunk driving and was sentenced to an 11 month delayed sentence probation, 30 days in jail with credit for five days served, 480 hours of community service, $1,588 in fines and costs and $345 in restitution. The remainder of his jail may be suspended.

If successful on probation, the charge will be reduced to a misdemeanor second offense drunk driving conviction. The case will be reviewed next on May 1, 2026.

The incident occurred Dec. 13, 2024 in Cassopolis. Police responded to a single vehicle accident on Fox Street. Parsons had hit some slush and ice and crashed his car. His blood alcohol level was .178, more than twice the legal limit.

“You’re 42 years old and have a wife and kids and you almost threw it all away,” Judge Herman said. “What would they have done if you were killed or injured?”

“I don’t know if you were lucky in the past and didn’t get caught or you did have periods of sobriety,” the judge added. “I hope you appreciate the opportunity. If I see you back for a violation, you can expect to spend time behind bars.”

“Your drinking and driving stops today,” he said. “If you had a head on collision and killed or injured someone, you would be going to prison today … Life is going to be so much better if you get alcohol and drugs out of your life.”