GASTONIA, N.C. — A Gastonia man who has 16 DWI convictions on his record was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in prison for felony habitual DWI.
According to records at the Gaston County Courthouse, Ronnie Welch received his first DWI in 1983. He served one or two years in prison but, never accumulated enough convictions to warrant a long prison sentence.
Prosecutor Donald Rice read the long list of prior DWI convictions against Welch, 61.
“Mr. Welch has the worst history for driving while impaired that I have ever seen,” Rice said.
Welch was in court Tuesday because in May he rear-ended a van at an intersection on Beatty Road in Gastonia, got in the passenger seat of the victim’s van, and through slurred words, told the driver he had to leave. Bystanders stopped Welch. Authorities said he was too drunk to resist arrest.
Welch told the judge that alcohol abuse programs in prison didn’t help him.
“I don’t work, that’s why your jail is full of people with multiple DUIs,” Welch said.
"The law was made for people like you". Judge questioned Ronnie Welch, Gaston County man convicted of 16 DWIs about personal responsibility. pic.twitter.com/XwPTZ3R3zv
— Ken (@kenlemonWSOC9) December 6, 2016
Judge Jesse Caldwell asked why Welch never took personal responsibility for his problem.
“If I had a penny in my pocket I was drinking,” Welch said in response to the judge’s question.
“How about answering my question?” Caldwell asked.
Welch admitted he never tried to seek help on his own.
The judge said he hopes the 10-year prison sentence will help Welch.
"The law was made for people like you". Judge questioned Ronnie Welch, Gaston County man convicted of 16 DWIs about personal responsibility. pic.twitter.com/XwPTZ3R3zv
— Ken (@kenlemonWSOC9) December 6, 2016
“You don’t need to be out, and if I could give you more time than this, I would,” Caldwell said.
When Welch completes his 10-year sentence he will have a clean slate for DWIs under the felony rule, which means if he has another DWI then punishment could be as little as probation or a few days in jail.
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