FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ann Montgomery-Moran, 972-825-5035 (ann.montgomery@co.ellis.tx.

us) Waxahachie Man Receives Second Life Sentence for DWI On Thursday, August 30, 2012, an Ellis County jury sentenced 52 year old Blas Hernandez Jr., of Waxahachie, to life in prison for Felony Driving While Intoxicated (DWI 3rd or More). This is Hernandezs second conviction and second life sentence for Felony Driving While Intoxicated. On November 1, 2011, Waxahachie Police were investigating a hit and run accident when they observed Mr. Hernandez driving in the 700 block of Main Street with heavy front end damage to his vehicle. Officers stopped Blas Hernandez Jr. and believed he was intoxicated. Officers determined that Mr. Hernandez had a history of Driving While Intoxicated convictions. In 2009, Texas law was changed to require a mandatory blood draw for any person arrested for DWI when the officer has credible evidence the defendant has two or more previous convictions for DWI. A mandatory blood draw was completed on Blas Hernandez Jr. His blood alcohol level was two and a half times the legal limit. It took the jury less than 30 minutes to convict Mr. Hernandez. At the punishment phase of the trial they learned Mr. Hernandez had a history of Assault on Police Officers. They also learned that in 1997 Blas Hernandez Jr. had been convicted of DWI 3rd or more, also in Ellis County, and he had been sentenced to life in prison for that offense. 40th District Court Judge Bob Carroll ordered the 2nd life sentence to be stacked and run consecutive to the life sentence assessed in 1997. After the trial, Ellis County & District Attorney Patrick Wilson issued the following statement: This is ridiculous. A jury assesses a second life sentence only 15 years after a jury assessed the first life sentence, for the same offense. Hernandez made parole after 11 years. Everyone wants to talk about being tough on D.W.I. This office has shown that we are tough on D.W.I. Ellis County citizens have shown that they are tough on D.W.I. So why isnt the Parole Board tough on D.W.I.? I have no answer for citizens who rightfully ask, Why was Hernandez even on the streets again after being sentenced to life in prison? Something has to be done to prevent this situation from happening again. This scenario was a tremendous waste of resources, and a threat to the safety of the general public. I intend to meet with our representatives in the Legislature to find a solution.